Lakers get back in the win column with victory over the Magic, snapping a 3-game losing streak.
The Lakers closed out tonight’s game over the Orlando Magic late in the 4th quarter to beat the Magic 114–103. Tonight’s matchup was a must-win for the Lakers as they faced a short-handed 18–42 Magic team and need every win, they can get as they are fighting to stay out of the 7th and 8th seed in the west. Tonight’s win moved the Lakers record to 36–25 keeping them in 5th place in the Western Conference.
The Lakers had a huge surge from their offense tonight, shooting 54% from the field going 47 for 87. Six Lakers scored in double digits in tonight’s win with five coming from the starting unit. The starting unit was accountable for 76 of the Lakers 114 points, with the Lakers bench adding 38 points.
In his third game back from injury Anthony Davis went back to playing his usual playing time action, playing over 30 minutes in tonight’s win. In 31 minutes of action, Davis has some flashes of his old self tonight finishing with 18 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 blocks in his normal element of playing time. Davis went 8 for 15 (53.3%) total from the field and hit his first three in a long time knocking down a dagger corner three late in the 4th tonight. Davis spoke on, his rhythm and how it came along in tonight’s win:
“I was able to find my rhythm a little bit, still not the AD that I want to be but it’s going to come with time.”
In the 4th quarter of tonight’s win, the Lakers were able to close big and a part of that reason was due to the performance of Dennis Schröder. Schröder secured the win for the Lakers tonight, scoring 13 points in the 4th to close out the game. In 37 minutes, Schröder finished with a game-high 21 points on 10 of 18 (55.5%) shooting from the field. Schröder added 10 assists to his 21 points giving him his third straight game, finishing with a double-double, his 6th of the season. Schröder spoke on the advice he was given by LeBron James explaining that he said:
“You gotta be aggressive. You’re not just a normal point guard. Do your shit.”
Andre Drummond had himself another double-double for the Lakers finishing with 13 points and 11 rebounds in tonight’s win. Drummond shot 6 for 8 (75%) from the field and added 2 blocks and 1 steal in his 25 minutes of action.
Kyle Kuzma also had a great showing in today’s win, giving the Lakers a hot spark from the perimeter shooting 4 for 6 (66.6%) from three and 5 for 9 (55.5%) overall from the field. In 29 minutes, Kuzma finished with 14 points and 7 rebounds in the starting lineup.
After not playing last Saturday’s game due to a coach’s decision, Montrezl Harrell answered back from that with a vengeance spark for the Lakers. Harrell had 18 of the benches’ 38 points, finishing tonight’s win with 18 points on 7 of 10 (70%) shooting from the field. Harrell also added 5 rebounds and 3 steals in his 22 minutes off the bench. Montrezl Harrell summarized why he plays with so much energy after tonight’s win:
“I play with a lot of energy and a lot of passion because every day I get to wake up and put my shoes on and be blessed to play the game of basketball to take care of my family.”
The Lakers will travel to Washington to face the Wizards in the last away game of their road trip. The Wizards are currently 27–33 and are always dangerous with one of the best NBA scoring duos in the league with Russell Westbrook and Bradley Beal. The last time the Lakers face the Wizards they were bested in overtime by the dynamic duo. Look for the Lakers to fight to stay in the win column as we are starting to see the old Anthony Davis get his rhythm back.