Luke Kennard Calls Game! Lakers Win 9th Straight in Orlando

Written by Malcolm Xavier of The Lakers Room

No slander, but I have no faith Gabe Vincent would've made that shot. Good job, Pelinka! Luka Doncic had another high scoring game with 33 points on 12-30 shooting, crazy to think he scored 60 on the same amount of field goals in Miami. LeBron looked a little sluggish in this one also. This first half was the tale of two quarters LA jumped out to a 37-23 lead and led by 7 after one with Doncic chipping in 16 points in a usual effortless opener for him. Orlando however led a 27-7 run from the end of the first through the second quarter to gain control in a game where they gave LA problems in the pain iand in transition. Orlando led at half 65-62 after the turnaround in this game of runs. Jalen Suggs chipped in 14 for the in the game as Banchero struggled on offense but led the team with 16.

The second half was much more of a defensive struggle for both teams. Orlando won the third 22-20 to stretch the lead to 87-82 going into the final period. Orlando connected on 11 threes on the night, LA went to the free throw line 29 times (making 19) and also won the turnover battle 12 to forcing 18 from the Magic.

The 4th quarter was another grind out for the Lakers who scored only 23 points in the quarter (also held the Magic to 17) to and missed opportunity after opportunity to hit the big shot on what seemed like heavier legs than they put on display in Miami on the back to back. However things got crazy at the end after leading 104-99 with :50 seconds to go things swung LA's way on this strange night. they closed the game on a 6-0 run. First Reaves scored on a driving layup to cut it to 104-101, after a stop Deandre Ayton was fould after an offensive rebound he made one and missed the second on purpose. Wendell Carter Jr collected the rebound, timeout Orlando. After the timeout however, Suggs threw a pass that was tip out of bounds by Banchero, after review and it was close - the call stood, Lakers ball. Out of the timeout LA found LeBron down low, who was clearly fouled by Paolo Banchero but it was not called. With 2.6 seconds to go the Lakers got another crack at it, after a beautiful play call that drew all eyes off the best three point shooter in the NBA Luke Kennard found himself open at the top of the key and swish. Game he connected with .6 seconds to go the Magic had no timeout's left and LA won it's ninth straight game in a thriller.