(Basketball news) The Los Angeles Lakers are currently a team on the mission as they look to make a late run into the playoff position, they beat the Pelicans 123-108. For the Lakers, Davis had 35 points and 17 rebounds, Beasley hit seven 3-pointers in just the first half as they took a 36-point, second-quarter lead. Beasley finished with 24 points as the Lakers shot 18 of 39 from 3-point range , including 15 of 27 before halftime, which set a franchise record for 3s made in a half while D’Angelo Russell added 17 points.

For the Pelicans, Brandon Ingram returned to lineup after missing two games with a right ankle injury as he scored 22 points while Herbert Jones and Trey Murphy III each scored 20 points. Los Angeles (34-35) moved one game ahead of New Orleans (33-36) in the standings as both clubs try to remain in contention for a direct playoff spot.

Davis “put it on himself to spearhead what you saw today,” Lakers coach Darvin Ham said. “But everyone was locked in. Everyone was ready to make a contribution.”

“I felt confident tonight,” Beasley said. “I told myself keep doing what I’m doing and don’t worry about the pressure of making shots.”

“It was very important for us, just for standing purposes, tiebreaker purposes and then getting back in the win column,” said Davis

“I just wanted to come out ultra aggressive tonight, knowing how important this game was,” Davis added. “Everybody did. We were playing the right way, playing great defensively and sharing the ball offensively, playing together and we were clicking on all cylinders.”

The Milwaukee Bucks are one step away from sealing a playoff position as they beat the Phoenix Suns 116-104. For the Bucks, Giannis Antetokounmpo provided his usual scoring with 36 points while Brook Lopez added 21 points. The Bucks have now won 21 of their past 23 games in an impressive two-month run while the Suns have dropped to three straight losses after Durant’s injury.

For the Suns, Booker led the scoring with 30 points on 13-of-27 shooting as  Deandre Ayton had 19 points and eight rebounds.  Durant missed his fourth straight game because of a sprained left ankle. He’s played just three games since coming to the team via trade in February. The Bucks improved their record to 50-19 as they become the first team with fifty wins this season.

“We just have a good balance on our team,” Bucks guard Jrue Holiday said. ”At any given moment, somebody can explode.”

“We just mentioned it in the coaches’ locker room to appreciate this,” Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer said. “Making the playoffs in this league is hard. You should never take anything for granted.”

Said Antetokounmpo: “We are good. We are in a good place right now. We got to keep on learning, staying humble.”

Also read: NBA: Warriors snap the Suns winning streak while Bucks beat the Kings