Lakers beat Magic (96-93)

In a game poor in points, the defending champions ensured the essential (96-93) by winning a second consecutive victory without LeBron James and Anthony Davis.

The time to warm up the machine, still without their two best players (LeBron James and Anthony Davis), the Lakers took three minutes before scoring a point. Fortunately, Kyle Kuzma quickly settled the score and made two baskets.

The Magic, for its part, exists thanks to Dwayne Bacon, who takes advantage of the spaces and strikes from afar, while Los Angeles relies on Montrezl Harrell, who accumulates baskets under the circle. But this beginning of game, if it is balanced, remains sad (22-21).

There is better in the second quarter as the defending champions attack hard, put more rhythm and play the transitions. They pass a 17-3 to take 13 points of advance. Orlando is then in great difficulty to answer. There is not much to save during these minutes, except the performance of Chuma Okeke. Nevertheless, nothing is done yet (44-39).

The Floridians find some colors in the second half, but struggle to contain Markieff Morris. The interior shows, alongside a Montrezl Harrell always as active. The end of the third quarter is a little more agitated, with Kyle Kuzma on one side and Otto Porter Jr. on the other, with 3-points (69-69).

In the last act, the Lakers are pushed around. They are even led by two possessions with less than eight minutes to go, after a basket by R.J. Hampton. From then on, Frank Vogel's men finally increased their intensity and defended better. Result: they pass a 12-1 to take the final control of the game. Once again, it was Dennis Schroder and Kyle Kuzma who carried the Lakers in this important moment.

A lackluster victory for Los Angeles (96-93) against an Orlando team reshuffled after the transfers. It is the second in a row without James and Davis, and it keeps pace with the top three in the West.

Source: Website