Even without leading scorer Evan Fournier, the Orlando Magic were able to crush the Los Angeles Lakers 109-90.
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | T | |
| Lakers | 14 | 26 | 29 | 21 | 90 |
| Magic | 30 | 27 | 29 | 23 | 109 |
After a bad loss to the New York Knicks, the Orlando Magic were able to rebound with a dominating performance over the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Magic were able to hold off the Lakers as they tried to make one last push in the fourth quarter where they cut the Magic lead to nine with just more than eight minutes left in regulation.
With the lead dwindling, the Orlando offense was able to adjust to a rare, yet effective Los Angeles zone defense. When the Magic were able to break the zone, the Lakers were out of options and were unable to keep the game close.
They could not crack the team’s defense or break the team’s determination to make up for Thursday’s poor performance.
“I think there was a sense of urgency to start winning on our home court,” said Jodie Meeks, who returned from a one-game absence to be with family for his grandmother’s funeral. “We’ve struggled winning games here. If we want to make the Playoffs, this is a court we have to win.”
The most shocking part of this performance may have been how the team played without Evan Fournier. Fournier has been a big part of Orlando’s offense all year and getting a win with him out with an injury is a great sign for the Magic.
Orlando took control from the very start.
It was a block party for the Magic as they blocked nine total shots in the first quarter, setting a new franchise record for a quarter. Serge Ibaka had four of those blocks as he showed off his defensive prowess. With the Magic locking down the paint, the Lakers were only able to score 14 points and the Magic would jump out to an early 16-point lead.
After the Magic were able to get off to that scorching hot start, Elfrid Payton was able to lead the second unit with a stellar 25 point night on 11-for-16 shooting. If the Lakers were on a run, Payton was there to answer them time and time again.