Orlando Magic Grades: Los Angeles Lakers 96, Orlando Magic 87
The Orlando Magic no-showed the first quarter and made a comeback to make things a game in the fourth quarter. But they did not have enough to finish.
38. Final. 96. 20. 87
The Orlando Magic were at the lowest of low moments when the Los Angeles Lakers took a 24-point lead on their home floor.
The Magic scored just nine points, watching a lackluster offense betray a defense that was at least momentarily engaged. Against the likes of LeBron James and Anthony Davis, that will not cut it. Not with their ability to beat even the best defense and the Lakers’ ability to spread the floor.
Orlando gave up seven offensive rebounds in the first quarter alone. A sign of their defensive imprecision and the lack of detail they have shown of late against the best teams in the league.
Those first 16 minutes were enough to feel disappointment. No matter the result.
If there is one good thing about this Magic team it is their willingness to fight. They will not roll over and they will give themselves a chance.
The Magic started to find some offensive breathing room in the second quarter. They started to hit shots and move the ball, stopping the constant dribbling and driving into traffic. Their defense settled in. This was Magic basketball.
And that lead slowly dissipated. they got good fortune when Anthony Davis blocked a shot directly to Aaron Gordon for an open 3-pointer to cut the lead to 12 by halftime. Michael Carter-Williams would drain a 3-pointer early in the fourth quarter to tie the game.
The Magic were not going to lie down. Dwight Howard took a hard foul and seemed to be jawing with Michael Carter-Williams when Wesley Iwundu came over and gave Dwight Howard a harder shove starting a small scrum between the two teams.
The Magic do not back down. And they were going to push for a win no matter how far down they were.
That kind of moral victory might be a bit comforting, but it does not equal a win. And this team is not in the moral victory business or the almost business. Competing with the best teams in the league is not enough. The Magic need results.
Despite tying the game, the Lakers quickly re-asserted themselves in the lead. The Magic ran out of gas coming back and made two key defensive mistakes covering the post. On two late possessions, the Magic tried doubling the post, allowing Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and then LeBron James to drain 3-pointers.
Orlando had run out of time and run out of opportunities in a 96-87 loss to Los Angeles at the Amway Center. The fight was good. The team snapped to attention. But that poor start was far too much to overcome against a quality opponent, no matter how frenzied and focused the team played the rest of the game.
F. Orlando Magic. AARON GORDON. B-. <a href=
B. <a href=. F. Orlando Magic. JONATHAN ISAAC
B. The Orlando Magic’s offense was dead in the first quarter. No one outside of <a href=. G/F. Orlando Magic. WESLEY IWUNDU
Orlando Magic. MOHAMED BAMBA. A-. The Orlando Magic appear likely to get <a href=. C
The Los Angeles Lakers were dominant defensively. They trapped and corralled the Orlando Magic and forced them into the spots they wanted. They crashed the offensive glass. At all times, the Lakers seemed in control of the game. They were the ones on the front foot and determining where this game would go. They had the stars after all.<p>And that was the problem for the Lakers. Their stars got caught going into isolation play when they were not in transition. So once the Magic settled down and figured out the Lakers’ defense (or the Lakers pulled off the throttle), they struggled to break things down. The Magic were able to hold the Lakers in check and make their run.</p><p>Up by 24 points, there is no reason this should have been a game. If the Magic had their full complement they might have been able to pull it out. Instead, the Lakers relied on LeBron James to get them to the finish line. Sometimes that is enough.</p>. 22-3. 1st West. LOS ANGELES LAKERS. B-
dark. Next. Orlando Magic need to make open shots to unlock offense
The Orlando Magic are now 11-13 and will finish their homestand Friday against the Houston Rockets.