The Lead
Paolo Banchero racked up 21 points, his 36th 20-plus-point performance this season, Franz Wagner also scored 21 to go along with eight rebounds and seven assists and Markelle Fultz had 12 points and 10 assists, but the Orlando Magic, despite rallying back from 16 down in the first half, came up a tad short in Sunday’s 111-105 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena.
Clutch Moments
Cole Anthony tied the game at 101 with a 3-pointer with 2:39 remaining. A few possessions later, Austin Reaves, who finished with a career-best 35 points, knocked down two out of three from the free throw line after getting fouled on a 3-point attempt. Then, following a Franz Wagner bucket, Reaves hit a pull-up jumper with 57.1 seconds left to give the Lakers the lead for good. Orlando missed their final five floor shots. Reaves scored L.A.’s last 10 points.
Key Stats
On a positive note, the Magic only committed eight turnovers, tied for their fewest this season. They also accumulated 52 points in the paint, 14 more than the Lakers. But again, a problem in most of their losses this season, the Magic struggled from beyond the arc, only making 10 of their 38 3-point attempts (26.3 percent). The Lakers took 15 more free throws than the Magic.
Injury/Inactive Report
Jalen Suggs (concussion) and Jonathan Isaac (left adductor surgery) were out for the Magic. LeBron James (right foot soreness) and Mo Bamba (left ankle sprain) were unavailable for the Lakers.
This Day in History
One of Tracy McGrady’s best performances in a Magic uniform took place on March 19, 2002, when he racked up 48 points and 12 rebounds in a victory over the Milwaukee Bucks. Sam Cassell led the Bucks with 23 points, while Ray Allen scored 22.
Rivals Report
So much is undetermined in the Western Conference with three weeks left in the regular season. The Lakers still feel like a dangerous team despite experiencing more lows than highs this season. Getting James back fully healthy is the most important thing right now for them. But if they can sneak into the playoffs – probably having to do that via the play-in tournament – they are a team that will be a tough out in a best-of-seven postseason series.
Up Next
The Magic will start a three-game homestand on Tuesday at 7 p.m. against the Washington Wizards. This will be the third of four meetings this season between the Southeast Division rivals, with Washington currently holding a 2-0 series advantage. Kristaps Porzingis racked up 30 points and 13 rebounds and Kyle Kuzma scored 23 in the Wizards victory over the Magic on Dec. 30 at Amway Center. Then on Jan. 21 in the nation’s capital, Rui Hachimura, who was traded two days later to the Lakers, exploded for 30 points off the bench in Washington’s blowout win. Franz Wagner led Orlando in the first game with 28 points and Fultz had a team-high 23 in the second contest.