The LA Lakers defeated the Orlando Magic 111-105 with a career-high 35 points from Austin Reaves and 18 points from D’Angelo Russell. This victory ended the Lakers’ two-game losing streak and improved their playoff chances. The Lakers tied with the Minnesota Timberwolves and Utah Jazz in the Western Conference play-in tournament chase. LeBron James is expected to return to the court at some point in the season after suffering a tendon injury in his right foot.
Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner scored 21 points each, while Cole Anthony added 17 points for the Magic, but they failed to achieve a weekend sweep in Los Angeles. The Lakers led by as much as 16 points in the first half, with Reaves contributing 16 points towards their halftime lead of 59-49. The Lakers shot 52.6% from 3-point range in the first half.
Anthony Davis contributed 15 points, 11 rebounds, and four blocks, while Dennis Schroder added 12 points and Jarred Vanderbilt grabbed 10 rebounds. The win increased the Lakers’ chances of securing a playoffs spot, and they will face the New York Knicks on Tuesday.
LA Lakers Secure Playoffs Hopes with Austin Reaves’ Career-High 35 Points Against Orlando Magic
The LA Lakers defeated the Orlando Magic 111-105 on Sunday with Austin Reaves’ career-high 35 points and 18 points from D’Angelo Russell. The victory put an end to the Lakers’ two-game losing streak and helped boost their playoffs hopes.
Anthony Davis contributed 15 points, 11 rebounds, and four blocks, while Dennis Schroder added 12 points and Jarred Vanderbilt grabbed 10 rebounds. The Lakers improved to a 35-37 record, tying with the Minnesota Timberwolves and Utah Jazz at the bottom of the play-in tournament chase in the Western Conference.
The Lakers have won six out of 11 games since LeBron James suffered a tendon injury in his right foot. Coach Darvin Ham stated that he expects James to return at some point in the season.
The Magic’s Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner each scored 21 points, and Cole Anthony added 17 points in their unsuccessful attempt to achieve a weekend sweep in Los Angeles after defeating the Clippers 113-108 on Saturday. Orlando has lost six out of their last eight games, finishing the four-game road trip through the Western Conference with a 1-3 record.
During the game, the Lakers led by as many as 16 points in the first half, with Reaves contributing 16 points towards their halftime lead of 59-49. The Lakers shot 52.6% from 3-point range in the first half, with 10 out of 19 attempts going in.
The Magic reduced the gap and evened the score at 101-101 with 2:39 remaining in the game. However, Reaves responded with two free throws and a short jumper, giving the Lakers a 105-103 lead with 57.8 seconds left. He then sealed the victory with three free throws, extending the lead to 110-103 with 25.3 seconds remaining.
The win has increased the Lakers’ chances of securing a playoffs spot, and they will face the New York Knicks on Tuesday.
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