After a disappointing defeat to the Pacers during the week, the Los Angeles Lakers started their East Coast trip with a 116-105 win at the Orlando Magic. The Lakers failed the first half, but then LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony sank the brave home side.
Orlando Magic (8-39) – Los Angeles Lakers (23-23) 105:116 (BOXSCORE)
LeBron finished the game as the top scorer and collected a total of 29 points (12/23 FG, 2/7 three-pointers), 7 rebounds and 5 assists, but also lost 6 turnovers. The turnovers and the defense were a problem for the guests from Hollywood for a long time, who only really turned up the heat after the change of sides and put themselves on the road to victory with a 31:16 quarter in the third round.
In addition to LeBron, the Lakers also had Carmelo Anthony to thank for that, who scored 19 of his 23 second-half points while sinking 4/5 threes (8/13 FG overall). Stanley Johnson (11) and Malik Monk (10) also delivered good production from the bench, Russell Westbrook also delivered a decent game (18, 11 rebounds, 7 assists and 3 turnovers at 8/17 FG).
“That’s exactly what we are. That’s what we want to be. And that’s the team we should be too,” said Melo when asked about the Lakers’ strong start to the third quarter. LA now have to prove in Miami, Brooklyn, Philadelphia, Charlotte and Atlanta that they can really deliver such a performance consistently.
For the Magic, who have now lost 14 of their last 15 games, Jalen Suggs (22 and 9 assists, both career highs) has been the most diligent but also an inefficient scorer (6/16 FG. 1/7 trebles). Rookie colleague Franz Wagner had 15 points (6/9 FG), 3 boards, 3 assists and 2 blocks, Moritz Wagner only played 5 minutes (0 points and 3 assists). Wendell Carter Jr. made a positive impression with 19 points from the bank.
The Lakers developed a slight advantage early in the game thanks to good finishes in the zone and in transition (+7), but during the course of the first quarter the shooting rate for the guests dropped and ball losses increased. Orlando turned the game around in front of Shaquille O’Neal, who was seated courtside.
Los Angeles Lakers: Strong second half brings victory
LeBron had to put in a lot of work to keep the Lakers in the game at all (18 points in the first half), on the other hand Suggs or the Magic Bank caused problems for the guests. However, the rookie had to go after a hard foul by Talen Horton-Tucker (Flagrant I). take a bad fall, but was able to continue playing.
Shortly thereafter, the Magic rattled down an 11-0 run, also thanks to good plays from Wagner, Orlando pulled away by up to 10 points. At the end of another disappointing Lakers half, the 2020 champion had 11 turnovers on 6 assists and was down 54-62 against one of the weakest offenses in the league. The Magic went into the half-time break for just the tenth time this season.
Lakers coach Frank Vogel, who is probably under close observation, reacted and sent a small ball lineup with Johnson instead of Dwight Howard, who was allowed to start at the beginning of the game, and LeBron as a center to start the third period paid off immediately: the defense made a much better impression including increased switching, in the first six minutes of the third round Orlando only managed 2 points on the scoreboard.
LA came out of the dressing room with a 9-0 run, a three-pointer by the good Johnson even extended this run to 19-2 a few minutes later and Melo also increased the Lakers’ lead from downtown to a double-digit lead – for the first time that evening.
The Magic tried to defend themselves again at the beginning of the final section with a zone defense. However, LeBron responded with a reverse alley oop and Anthony from afar. The veteran’s scoring kept Orlando at bay during this phase, later James raised it to +17 with a three-pointer and finally put the lid on it with the next alley-oop three minutes before the end. At the Amway Center it rained “MVP” calls for LeBron.