After getting blown out by the Celtics at home on Sunday, the Lakers weren’t able to correct that defeat, following it up with another home loss to the Orlando Magic.
This was the final game of the Lakers seven game homestead, and they will now hit the road for a short two game away-stretch before returning back to Crypto against the Sacramento Kings this weekend.
This was one of the few games that Los Angeles had all of their stars healthy, and they did not disappoint. Star guard Luka Doncic led the way with 22 points, while forward LeBron James and Center Deandre Ayton both had 21 points. Doncic also tallied 15 assists and nine rebounds, one away from a triple double. Austin Reaves, who recently returned from a calf-injury, also dropped 18 points to go along with three assists.
The first quarter was back and forth with the Lakers controlling the pace. Doncic facilitated well, and LeBron James made long jumpers, a point of his game that has been weaker compared to previous seasons.
Deandre Ayton was also the benefactor of many lobs and dump-off passes, which he finished for strong buckets. On the other side, guard Desmond Bane for the Magic started off red-hot, having some strong takes and moves towards the basket. Second year forward Tristan De Silva was also big for the Magic this game, with multiple 3-pointers and big plays down the stretch.
In the second quarter, it was a battle of the bigs as Magic center Wendell Carter Jr. went to work with a pair of strong drives and many emphatic dunks. Ayton stayed hot, taking advantage of mismatches and scoring with some nice post moves. Star forward Paolo Banchero started to get going for the Magic in this quarter, going coast to coast for a layup and showing his capabilities as a league’s rising star. The score was 58-53 Lakers going into the break.
Paolo Banchero continued his momentum into the third quarter scoring 15 of his 36 points on the night in the quarter. Austin Reaves quickly extended the Lakers lead to 10 points, but it wouldn’t last long, as the Magic would cut the lead to only two heading into the fourth. Luka was also amazing in this quarter, with numerous assists and tough baskets, but James was relatively quiet.
In the final quarter, Desmond Bane scored nine quick points for the Magic which put them up one over the Lakers. For the rest of the period, it was a straight shootout: the teams went back and forth, hitting tough shot after tough shot.
Stars Banchero and Doncic were going at it, but the main story of the quarter was Desmond Bane and his clutch shooting. Bane had 12 points in the period, including two 3-pointers.
When Bane hit a three to go up one, the Lakers responded with an emphatic dunk from James which put them up one 109-108. In a game winning possession, Banchero missed the go-ahead two, but Carter Jr. secured the rebound and put it back up for a basket making the score 110-109 Magic. James got a final good look at three but missed it long, ending the game.
It was a difficult way to lose for the Lakers, but they have to look at the positives as they have all of their stars back and healthy and look poised to make a playoff run with few regular season games to go