Magic Vs Lakers: Botched final play dooms magic vs lakers
The magic vs lakers matchup ended 110-109 on Tuesday night when Luka Doncic passed up a shot and made a hurried pass to LeBron James, who missed a buzzer-beater. Over an eight-game homestand stretched across three weeks because of the weeklong All-Star break, the Lakers went 4-4 at Crypto. com Arena instead of building the connectivity they had hoped for.
Homestand expectations and outcome
The eight-game homestand over three weeks because of the weeklong All-Star break was presented as an opportunity to develop a connectivity that would push L. A. in the right direction. Instead, the Lakers floundered in those games at Crypto. com Arena, playing. 500 basketball (4-4). They opened the homestand with wins over Philadelphia and Golden State, lost back-to-back games to Oklahoma City and San Antonio, beat Dallas and the Clippers, and then finished it off with losses to Boston and Orlando.
Magic Vs Lakers final sequence
The fourth quarter went back-and-forth most of the time, each play becoming more important as the clock wound down. Rui Hachimura drilled a three-pointer from the corner off a pass from Luka Doncic with 2: 14 left. Later, Paolo Banchero, who finished with 36 points, scored and was fouled by Deandre Ayton; Banchero missed the free throw, leaving the Lakers ahead 106-105 with 1: 18 left.
LeBron James went to work in the post over the smaller Anthony Black and drew a foul. James made just one of two free throws for a 107-105 Lakers lead. Desmond Bane, who finished with 22 points, answered with a three-pointer to give Orlando a 108-107 lead and force a Lakers timeout with 34. 6 seconds left. James then scored on a dunk to put Los Angeles ahead 109-108.
Banchero missed a jumper on the ensuing possession, but Wendell Carter Jr., who finished with 20 points, grabbed an offensive rebound and scored to give the Magic a 110-109 lead with 6. 7 seconds left. Luka Doncic passed up a shot and made a hurried pass to James, who missed the buzzer-beater as time expired.
Individual lines and team standing
James finished the game with 21 points on eight-for-13 shooting, along with six rebounds and four assists. The loss dropped the Lakers to 34-23 overall. The team has not been a great home team all season; their record now stands at 16-12 in Los Angeles, and because they lost for the second straight game at home they are now in sixth place in the competitive Western Conference.
Coaches and front-office reactions
Coach JJ Redick was asked for his assessment on why his team hasn’t been better at home. "We’re a work in progress, " Redick said. After the game James was asked why the Lakers haven’t been so good at home this season; he said, "I don’t know, " and added, "Just haven’t been a good home team. " New Lakers executive Lon Rosen said he hopes season ticket holders will "renew" them despite the enormous increase for next season.
Roster notes and evaluation
The report noted that Deandre Ayton has the talent and skills, and the Lakers are searching for the right ways to maximize what he can offer. Those questions about fit and usage framed much of the homestand discussion as the team tries to convert the stretch into momentum.
Tuesday night’s 110-109 result was a narrow Game Recap: Magic 110, Lakers 109 loss highlighted by a botched final sequence in which Luka’s decision to pass and the ensuing hurried pass to LeBron culminated in a missed buzzer-beater, sealing the defeat.
The Lakers now head into their next set of games with a 34-23 record, a 16-12 mark at home, and mounting questions about how to translate talent into consistent home success.
