Lakers’ balanced attack too much for Magic to handle
LeBron James unloaded 28 points to lead six players in double figures as the visiting Los Angeles Lakers snapped a four-game losing streak with a 129-110 win over the Orlando Magic on Tuesday, December 27 (Wednesday, December 28, Manila time).
Russell Westbrook recorded a triple-double with 15 points, 13 rebounds, and 13 assists, Thomas Bryant had 21 points and 10 rebounds, and Troy Brown Jr. matched his season high with 15 points. Patrick Beverley scored 14 and Lonnie Walker IV added 10.
Markelle Fultz led Orlando with 16 points, while Wendell Carter Jr. and Franz Wagner scored 15 apiece. Terrence Ross scored 13, Moritz Wagner had 12 and Bol Bol chipped in 10.
Los Angeles never trailed after moving ahead 22-21 in the first quarter. The Lakers shot 54.4% from the field and 17-of-43 (39.5%) from three-point range.
James scored 12 points in the third quarter to help put Los Angeles ahead 92-83 heading into the final period. He fell two points shy of extending his seven-game streak of at least 30 points.
Brown scored 11 points in the fourth quarter, including a triple that put the Lakers ahead 116-100 with 4:24 remaining.
Los Angeles ended the first quarter with a 33-27 lead after holding Orlando to 37.5 percent shooting.
The Lakers stretched their lead to 16 points before the Magic pulled within 61-51 at the half after closing on a 9-3 run.
Bryant had 13 points and 7 rebounds in the first half for Los Angeles, which shot 53.3%. Fultz scored 13 to lead the Magic.
After being outscored 51-21 in the third quarter of a 124-115 loss to Dallas Mavericks on Sunday, the Lakers were able to maintain their lead throughout the second half against the Magic.
Rookie Paolo Banchero was held to a season-low 4 points on 1-of-6 shooting for Orlando, which had won two straight and eight of their past nine.
Moritz Wagner had his streak of consecutive made free throws snapped at 39 after missing early in the second quarter. The streak tied for the third-longest in Magic history. – Rappler.com