Lakers bounce back in ugly win over Magic
The Los Angeles Lakers bounced back in the win column, outlasting the Orlando Magic 106–103 to improve their season record to 2–2 on Monday.
“We just had to find a way to win coming off a tough loss last night,” Anthony Davis said. “Whatever it takes to get the W and we did that tonight.”
Looking at the box score numbers, the Magic outbattled the Lakers. The Lakers shot 29.6% (8-for-27) from three, compared to Orlando’s 40% (14-for-35). They committed 16 turnovers, compared to the Magic’s 11, while having their bench outscored by Orlando’s 39–18.
An ugly win is always better than an ugly loss in a high-powered Western Conference.
“What you guys see is a team figuring it out,” D’Angelo Russell said on the win.
The win came down to the wire after the Lakers battled back to take a late fourth-quarter lead, thanks to a Russell three-pointer, giving them a 104–103 lead with 1:42 remaining.
With under 20 seconds left and the lead still the same, Magic’s Jalen Suggs drove to the basket for a potential go-ahead layup but was met by Davis’ extended arms to force the miss.
After a deliberate foul, Russell made clutch free throws to give the Lakers a three-point lead with eight seconds left.
With eight seconds remaining, Suggs had the opportunity to tie the game and force overtime after a well-executed pump fake on Davis to create a better shot, but his attempt clanged off the front iron, sealing the Lakers’ second win of the season.
Davis and Russell combined for 54 points on 22-for-32 shooting (68.7%).
Davis finished with 26 points, 19 rebounds, five assists and three blocks in 38 minutes, shooting 12 of 18 from the field (66.6%).
“He finds a way to dominate the game,” Russell said on Davis. “We never lose any love or trust in what he’s capable of. I was kind of in awe as his play progressed over the time we’ve (been) together.”
Russell led all scorers with 28 points, shooting 50% from three-point range (3 for 6) and 71.4% overall (10 for 14).
After a minute-heavy night for the 38-year-old, LeBron showed no signs of fatigue with a flashy behind-the-back pass and a clutch late-game three. In 32 minutes, LeBron finished with 19 points on 7-for-17 shot attempts, adding four assists, three rebounds, three steals and a block.
Christian Wood saw increased minutes off the Lakers bench, playing 26 minutes compared to 13 minutes in Sunday’s loss to the Kings. Wood finished the game late for the Lakers, a move head coach Darvin Ham looked to have made after saying he needed to clean up his minute rotations.
Wood finished with nine points, nine rebounds and three blocks while shooting 50% (3 for 6) from the floor.
The Lakers will play their home-town rival, the Los Angeles Clippers, this Wednesday at 7 p.m.
