The came back from a 16-point deficit to tie the game late in the fourth quarter but fell to the Los Angeles Lakers 111-105 Sunday night at Crypto.com Arena to close out their West Coast trip.
The Magic (29-43) had a strong start, jumping out to a 20-11 lead behind strong play from the starters.
But their bench didn’t match the early production of the Lakers’ second unit led by Austin Reaves, who scored a career-high 35 points to go with 6 assists and 6 rebounds in 30 minutes.
The Lakers’ bench outscored the Magic’s 61-26.
Los Angeles’ bench helped to build a 47-31 lead in the second quarter, a 59-49 edge at halftime and an 84-81 advantage heading into the fourth.
The Magic kept chipping away at their deficit, and Cole Anthony’s 3-pointer with 2:39 remaining tied the game at 101.
One minute later, Paolo Banchero (21 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists) fouled Reaves on a 3-pointer. Reaves hit 2 of 3 free throws to give the Lakers a 103-101 lead with 1:33 remaining.
Franz Wagner (21 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists) made a layup 20 seconds later to tie the game again at 103 but Reaves made a pull-up 2 on the ensuing possession to give the Lakers a 2-point lead.
Wagner missed a pull-up 3 with 43.2 seconds left on the next possession, with Markelle Fultz (12 points, 10 assists) fouling Reaves while trying to go for a steal and sent him to the free throw line. Reaves made both free throws, giving the Lakers a 107-103 lead with 33.8 seconds left.
Banchero missed a layup on the Magic’s ensuing possession, effectively sealing the outcome.
He was issued a technical foul for arguing a no-call on his drive to the basket on the missed layup.
Reaves made the technical free throw plus 2 more after Fultz committed a take foul.
Banchero’s technical came in what was a frustrating game for Orlando. The Lakers shot 26-of-32 on free throws, including 16-of-18 by Reaves, compared to the Magic’s 13-of-17.
The Magic wrapped up the West Coast trip 1-3 after starting the swing with losses to the and before .
This article first appeared on . Email Khobi Price at khprice@orlandosentinel.com or follow him on Twitter at .
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