Here is what you need to know before the Lakers receive a visit from the Orlando Magic.
1)
The Lakers are hoping to build off one of their strongest wins of the season, having handled Miami 127-100 on Friday night. It was a box score bounty for the purple and gold, as they put up season-highs in both points and rebounds (62) collected, while six Lakers scored in double figures.
2)
Rookie Brandon Ingram was one of several Lakers to get their numbers up against the Heat, as he tied his young career-high with 17 points while also notching six rebounds and four assists. The second-overall pick was particularly effective late, scoring 11 fourth-quarter points by shooting perfectly from both the field (3-of-3) and free throw line (5-of-5).
3)
Like Ingram, Lou Williams heated up late to help bury the Heat. The 2015 Sixth Man of the Year provided 16 of his 24 points in the fourth quarter, in which the Lakers outscored Miami by 16. Williams has made a habit of scoring with the game on the line, averaging the NBA’s eighth-most fourth-quarter points (7.1).
4)
While Ingram and Williams came on late, Luol Deng set the tone all game long against his former team. The first-year Laker provided 19 points on 8-of-12 shooting with a season-high 14 rebounds in his return from missing a game due to biceps tendonitis.
5)
The Lakers are looking for vengeance after getting beat wire-to-wire by the Magic just two weeks ago. Orlando began that contest on Dec. 23 with a 10-0 lead and never let up, as it captured a season-best 19-point victory at Los Angeles’ expense.
6)
Elfrid Payton was Magic’s main man in that game, scoring a season-high 25 points with nine assists. Payton — who has recently moved into the starting lineup — had been one of the NBA’s top passers off the bench, leading all reserves in assists (6.3).
7)
The Magic have a plethora of bigs at their disposal who all provide a little something different. Serge Ibaka is one of the rare players who can block shots (1.7 per game) and hit 3-pointers (37.0 percent), while Bismack Biyombo is defense-first with 1.4 swats per contest. Nikola Vucevic leads all bench players in rebounds (9.4), while Slam Dunk Contest runner-up Aaron Gordon is always liable to put his athleticism to good use.
8)
Three years after his career season with the Lakers, Jodie Meeks is starting to find his rhythm with Orlando. He has been dogged by injuries since leaving L.A., though he may be back to his sharpshooting ways by hitting 40.9 percent of his 3-pointers this year.
9)
Despite all the aforementioned players, Orlando’s offense has been one of the league’s most docile. The Magic average the NBA’s third-fewest points (99.0) and leave plenty at the foul line, where they hit the fewest free throws (14.2) and shoot the second-worst percentage (71.4).
10)
This visit to L.A. marks the start of an 11-day, six game road trip for the Magic. However, leaving Orlando hasn’t exactly been a hinderance, as they are 7-13 when playing at home as opposed to 9-9 on the road.
Injury Report
Lakers: D’Angelo Russell (sore left knee), Julius Randle (sprained left ring finger), Jordan Clarkson (right elbow contusion/bursitis), Luol Deng (right biceps tendonitis) and Tarik Black (sore right ankle) are probable. Larry Nance Jr. (bone bruise, left knee) is out.
Magic: None.
Tip-off: 6:30 p.m. PT
TV: Spectrum SportsNet and Spectrum Deportes
Radio: 710 ESPN and 1330 KWKW