With the Thunder and Pelicans winning, the goal was very simple for the Lakers : win, so as not to shoot yourself in the foot three weeks from the end of the regular season.
Anthony Davis (15 points, 11 rebounds, 4 blocks) and D’Angelo Russell (18 points, 6 assists) overall behind, it’s surprising Austin Reaves (35 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists) who established himself as THE boss of the “Purple & Gold” in this part. More responsible than ever with the ball in hand and decisive in the “money time”, he thus guided Los Angeles towards a precious success (111-105) in view of the race for the playoffs and the play-in.
The teammates of Paolo Banchero (21 points, 6 rebounds) and Franz Wagner (21 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists) held on well, but Orlando must finally surrender after a last 30 minutes less poorly managed and overflown by the unstoppable Austin Reaves.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
— Austin Reaves, the miracle solution of Los Angeles. As soon as they had a problem, the Lakers could count on their young “combo guard” to put them back on the right track, at any time during the match. In the oven and in the mill, he never stopped punishing the Magic defense with his shifts, his baskets and his fouls caused. Just unstoppable and aggressive as possible, while everything was going well for him, Reaves pulled the “Purple & Gold” out of a hell of a trap, in what will remain as the best performance of his young career. With its “MVPs! MVP! MVP! “, the Crypto.com Arena was not mistaken…
— Los Angeles is scared but clings to the Top 10. In the event of a loss, the Lakers would simply be out of the play-in zone. It was therefore imperative not to bow and, thanks to an imperturbable Austin Reaves under pressure (he scored his team’s last 10 points), Darvin Ham’s men caught up with Wolves (9th) and they remain at a match and a half of the Top 6. However, it was slow and complicated against this particularly catchy Magic, but victory is the key, without it being undeserved, and that is the main thing.
TOPS/FLOPS
✅ The Schröder/Hachimura/Gabriel trio. In addition to Austin Reaves, the three other substitutes for the Lakers delivered a full and decisive game to help their team win this game. Energetic and impactful, Dennis Schröder (12 points, 5 assists), Rui Hachimura (8 points, 5 rebounds) and Wenyen Gabriel (6 points, 8 rebounds) rocked the game when they entered the game, thanks of course to all the influence of Reaves at their side. A trio of very solid soldiers on which Darvin Ham could rely and trust, therefore.
✅ The Banchero/Wagner duo. Supported mainly by Wendell Carter Jr. (16 points, 11 rebounds), Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner were as often the two leaders of the Magic attack, despite the loss that goes with the shoot (8/20 for one , 0/8 to 3-point for the other). Without them, however, Orlando would not have been able to come away with the victory and still be tied with the Lakers one minute from the end. Except that the inexperience of the Florida group – illustrated in particular by the failures of Wagner and Banchero, or the faults (including a technique) of this same Banchero – cost dearly in the final.
⛔ Malik Beasley. Another complicated match for the rear of the Lakers, author of only 3 points in 26 minutes, 1/7 to shoot (including 1/5 to 3-points)… The problem, despite the threat he represents, is is that when he fails to convert his attempts (open moreover…), Beasley does more harm than anything to his team, already that he is not really irreproachable in defense, and his differential of – 15 (the worst in Los Angeles) proves it quite well.
⛔ The Orlando Bench. Before Cole Anthony (17 points) ended the game on a more positive note, the Magic’s rotations were completely off the plate and dominated by those of the Lakers. Both in the first half, when Orlando had a ten-point lead before finding themselves trailing by 16 points, and in the third quarter, when Jamahl Mosley’s men had returned to a possession of Los Angeles before to find themselves again behind by ten points.
THE FOLLOWING
Los Angeles (35-37) : reception of Phoenix, on the night of Wednesday to Thursday (03:00).
Orlando (29-43) : reception of Washington, on the night of Tuesday to Wednesday (00:00).
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