No doubt vindictive after their defeat in Los Angeles a few days ago, the Magic started the game well, being aggressive towards the basket. On the Lakers side, things slip a little during the first minutes, but then, by giving the ball to Anthony Davis near the circle, things get better since the interior makes a series of baskets. But Orlando is stronger, with a 13-0 and a controlled first quarter (39-25).
The Magic’s defense, symbolized by Jonathan Isaac’s good passes on LeBron James, is very good and only the lost balls prevent the Magic from making the gap even further in this first period (67-51).
Returning from the locker room, without seeming to touch it, Jamahl Mosley’s men took a twenty-point lead. The Lakers try a zone defense to stop the bleeding, but without much success (101-80).
Led by Anthony Davis, the Californians took their defense up a notch in the last quarter. They counter several shots, but do not take the opportunity to come back.
As the minutes tick by and there are still more than ten points to make up, D’Angelo Russell and Austin Reaves rush to 3-pointers. It doesn’t fall in and Darvin Ham gives up less than four minutes from the end, opening his bench. Logical victory for the Magic 120-101.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
The Magic’s performance. For its first victory against the Lakers since January 2020 (seven defeats in a row), Orlando did things well. This success in fact cannot be disputed. The defense perfectly muzzled the Lakers, the attack was balanced, no one forced and each player above all looked for their open teammate. The proof with Paolo Banchero who, in addition to scoring 25 points, delivered 10 assists. These 48 minutes have all the makings of a benchmark victory on which to build for Jamahl Mosley’s young squad.
TOPS/FLOPS
✅Anthony Davis. The best player in Los Angeles, his +/- above all illustrating the overall difficulties of the Lakers. Active in defense from the start of the match (13 rebounds, 7 blocks), he dominated in attack with 28 points at 10/15 shooting. The Lakers could even (should?) have relied on him more, as he was so easy at times.
✅Goga Bitadze. Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner scored 51 points between them, but we can highlight the game of the Magic pivot. The Georgian sometimes struggled to slow down Anthony Davis but with 10 rebounds and 5 blocks, he perfectly illustrated the defensive energy of his team. He adds 10 points to his performance and his +/- is indicative of his impact: +27!
⛔️The duo Cam Reddish – D’Angelo Russell. The first was transparent with two points and four fouls. It is certainly voluntary, but ultimately does not contribute much. The second missed open shots, forced and finished with 11 points at 4/17 on the shoot including a terrible 1/10 at 3-pts.
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Pts = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
