Reaves gets career-high 35, pushes Lakers past Magic 111-105
Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis (3) is defended by Orlando Magic's Goga Bitadze, left, and Markelle Fultz (20) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, March 19, 2023, in Los Angeles. Credit: AP/Marcio Jose Sanchez
LOS ANGELES — Austin Reaves scored a career-high 35 points, D’Angelo Russell added 18 points and the Los Angeles Lakers hung on for a 111-105 victory over the Orlando Magic on Sunday night.
Anthony Davis had 15 points and 11 rebounds on another rough shooting night, but Reaves carried the Lakers to victory with 13 points in the fourth quarter, including 10 in the final 1:33. The undrafted second-year pro has earned a vital role on Los Angeles' roster, and Reaves factored in almost every big play down the stretch as the Lakers snapped a two-game skid.
The Lakers entered this game off back-to-back losses to Houston and Dallas, imperiling their tenuous position in the playoff race. This win put Los Angeles (35-37) in ninth in the Western Conference, tied with Minnesota.
Rookie Paolo Banchero scored 21 points for Orlando, but got an unwise technical foul with 25.3 seconds to play after repeatedly arguing with officials during the night.
Franz Wagner also scored 21 points in the Magic's sixth loss in eight games to wrap up a four-game road swing. Wendell Carter Jr. had 16 points and 11 rebounds, but Orlando couldn't repeat the dominance of its 39-point fourth quarter in a victory over the Clippers one day earlier in the same arena.
Cole Anthony hit a tying 3-pointer with 2:37 to play for the Magic, who had trailed throughout the second half. Banchero fouled Reaves on a 3-point attempt a minute later, and Reaves hit two free throws before Wagner tied it again.
But Reaves hit a mid-range jumper with 57 seconds left and then grabbed the long rebound of Wagner's missed 3 before making two more free throws. Banchero missed a layup and then got the technical foul that helped the Lakers to seal it.
Los Angeles Lakers guard D'Angelo Russell (1) shoots next to Orlando Magic guard Cole Anthony (50) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, March 19, 2023, in Los Angeles. Credit: AP/Marcio Jose Sanchez
The Lakers improved to 6-5 during the latest injury absence for LeBron James, who has been out for three weeks with a sore right foot. Coach Darvin Ham reiterated before the game that Los Angeles expects James to return before the regular season ends in three weeks.
The NBA's career scoring leader is expected to be reevaluated within the next week.
Markelle Fultz had 12 points and 10 assists one night after dropping a career-high 28 points on the Clippers.
TIP-INS
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James, left, and center Mo Bamba watch from the bench during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Dallas Mavericks Friday, March 17, 2023, in Los Angeles. Credit: AP/Marcio Jose Sanchez
Magic: Jalen Suggs missed his second straight game with an apparent concussion. ... Former Lakers first-round pick Moritz Wagner didn't play.
Lakers: Mo Bamba missed his seventh straight game with a high ankle sprain, preventing him from playing against the team that drafted him sixth overall in 2018 and traded him to Los Angeles at the deadline in a deal for Patrick Beverley. The Lakers curiously haven't signed a backup center in Bamba's absence. ... The Lakers have won six consecutive meetings with Orlando.
UP NEXT
Magic: Host Washington on Tuesday.
Lakers: Host Phoenix on Wednesday.
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