Banchero Shines, Magic Beat Lakers in LA

Written By Malcolm Xavier of The Lakers Room

LA came in heavy -6.5 point favorites over the Orlando Magic prior to tonight's contest. So Vegas is confident, I however am not. Franz Wagner being out (along with Jalen Suggs) gives me a bit more comfort as Wagner is known for giving the Lakers all they can handle every time he see's us. We lost both games to Orlando last year and this is our first matchup with them this year as they are in the midst of a west coast trip coming off a win at Intuit on Monday night vs the Clippers. The Lakers came in with everyone ready to play minus Jaxson Hayes.

LeBron started off hot, scoring 10 of the Lakers first 14 points punctuated by a three pointer on an Austin Reaves assist. The Lakers led 14-10 the magic were led early by Desmond Bane and Wendell Carter down low but struggled from three throughout the night. Luka added an and one to push the lead to 17-10. Orlando followed with a 11-4 run to get the score to 23-21 seven points came down low from Wendell Carter Jr, who had his way down low for most of the game. LA followed with a 7-0 run capped by a Doncic 25 foot three pointer that pushed the lead to 9 and the Lakers closed the first up 33-25.

The second quarter was the Deandre Ayton show on the offensive end for the Lakers he scored 13 of the teams 23 points in the quarter. Wendell Carter Jr added 6 points and 5 rebounds in the quarter to add to his strong first and give him 15 for the first half. Orlando collected 8 offensive rebounds in the second and outscored the Lakers 28-23 in the period. Banchero added 14 in the first half fo the Magic. Austin Reaves struggled in the first half for LA and went scoreless but the Lakers led 56-53 at half.

Reaves scored seven quick points after the zero burger first half. However the problematic third quarter was motly more of the same for the Lakers, although they held Orlando to 26 - they only mustered 24 after controlling early only holding on to a one point lead at the end of the third. The offensive was mostly stagnant after Reaves hot start and Luka was shooting 4-16 throughout. Hopefully, the Lakers undefeated when up after three quarters trend would continue although they were holding on to a slim 80-79 ead going into the fourth.

Desmond Bane scored 5 quick points including a 33 foot three point bomb to give the Magic an 86-85 lead early in the fourth. He added another fadeaway before an Austin Reaves three pointer tied the score at 90-90. Wendell Carter and Reaves traded and ones to make in 93-93 before the Magic went on a 5-0 run to lead 98-93 to a three from Tristin da Silva. Rui, Laravia and Doncic all connected on threes in a Lakers 13-5 burst to take the lead back 106-103. Orlando closed the game on a 7-2 run punctuated by a Wendell Carter game winner down low to give the Magic a 110-109 victory over the Lakers on a night where Luka went 8/24 and 2/10 from deep. Austin Reaves finished with 18 points on 6/16 shooting.