Los Angeles @ Orlando preview
Kia Center
Last Meeting ( Oct 30, 2023 ) Orlando 103, L.A. Lakers 106
The Los Angeles Lakers look to put a halt to their early road woes on Saturday night when they open a four-game road swing against the Orlando Magic.
The Lakers began the regular season with a 119-107 loss in Denver on Oct. 24 before dropping a 132-127 overtime decision in Sacramento five nights later.
Los Angeles rebounded in short order, with D'Angelo Russell scoring 28 points in a 106-103 victory over the Magic on Monday. LeBron James collected 35 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists two nights later in the Lakers' 130-125 overtime win over the Los Angeles Clippers.
"He's been phenomenal down the stretch in this early season," Anthony Davis said of James, per the Los Angeles Times. "I think it's (that) they're kinda banking minutes early on. And then letting him just kinda flow throughout the fourth quarter. He's making the right plays. He's getting to the basket."
Davis recorded 26 points and 19 rebounds versus the Magic before adding 27 and 10, respectively, against the Clippers. Russell contributed 27 points and Austin Reaves notched a season-high 15 points to go along with seven boards and seven assists on Wednesday.
"You go through stretches like this, you have to fight your way out," Reaves said of his slow start, per the Los Angeles Times. "That's what I'm doing."
Lakers coach Darvin Ham wondered if Reaves is a bit fatigued given his hectic schedule after playing for Team USA in the summer. He also is carrying the weight of increased expectations after signing a four-year contract extension that is worth nearly $54 million.
"Everyone is aware of him now, for sure, after last season, the way he ended it, the summer he had with Team USA," Ham said. "He's not sneaking up on anybody. He's no longer a secret weapon. People are well aware of what he could do."
While the Lakers have won two in a row, the Magic snapped a modest two-game skid by concluding a four-game road trip with a 115-113 victory over the Utah Jazz on Thursday night.
Paolo Banchero erupted for season-high totals in points (30) and rebounds (nine). The reigning NBA Rookie of the Year averaged just 12.5 points in his first four games of the campaign, with his low of nine coming after a 4-for-14 performance from the floor against the Lakers.
"I think us winning (on Thursday) just kind of shows our growth as a team," Banchero said. "It's a boost being able to go back home with some momentum."
Orlando's momentum could be slowed due to injuries, however.
Starting center Wendell Carter sustained a fractured third metacarpal after falling on his left hand with 1.4 seconds remaining of Thursday's game. The team has yet to reveal the course of treatment for Carter, who is averaging a team-leading 8.6 rebounds.
Guard Markelle Fultz sat out on Thursday due to swelling around his left knee. Gary Harris, who replaced Fultz in the starting lineup, exited the contest versus the Jazz with a groin injury.
--Field Level Media