NBA News Wire
Lakers 103, Magic 94
Jeff Hawkins is an award-winning sportswriter with more than four decades in the industry (print and digital media). A freelance writer/stay-at-home dad since 2008, Hawkins started his career with newspaper stints in Michigan, North Carolina, Florida, Upstate New York and Illinois, where he earned the 2004 APSE first-place award for column writing (under 40,000 circulation). As a beat writer, he covered NASCAR Winston Cup events at NHIS (1999-2003), the NHL's Chicago Blackhawks (2003-06) and the NFL's Carolina Panthers (2011-12). Hawkins penned four youth sports books, including a Michael Jordan biography. Hawkins' main hobbies include mountain bike riding, 5k trail runs at the Whitewater Center in Charlotte, N.C., and live music.
All posts by Jeff HawkinsUpdated15 Oct 2021
LOS ANGELES — Forward Jordan Hill scored a career-high 28 points and grabbed 13 rebounds, helping the Los Angeles Lakers end a four-game skid with a 103-94 victory over the Orlando Magic at Staples Center on Sunday.
Forward Nick Young scored 13 of his 26 points in the fourth quarter for the Lakers (23-46), who handed the Magic their ninth consecutive defeat. Orlando (19-52), the worst road team in the NBA at 4-34, has lost 23 of its past 24 games.
Hill converted 9 of 15 field goals and hit 10 of 13 free throws. His previous scoring high this season had been 24 points against the Detroit Pistons in November.
Orlando was coming off an 89-88 setback to the Utah Jazz on Saturday night. Still, the Magic stayed within striking distance of the Lakers before fading down the stretch.
Guard Victor Oladipo led Orlando with 21 points and 10 assists. Guard Arron Afflalo added 18 points, while forward Tobias Harris had 16 points and nine rebounds.
The Magic trailed the Lakers 91-87 before Young canned a 3-pointer with 3:23 remaining in the game and guard Jodie Meeks, who finished with 13 points, added two free throws about a minute later. Orlando got no closer than six the rest of the way.
The Lakers led by as many as 15 points in the first half before the Magic rallied in the third quarter. A 3-point basket by guard Doron Lamb with 27.9 seconds remaining in the quarter cut Los Angeles’ lead to 75-73 heading into the fourth quarter.
The Lakers dictated for much of the first half. After Orlando took a 30-29 lead on a layup by Harris with 10:26 remaining in the second quarter, they went on a 17-2 run for a 46-32 advantage on a floater by point guard Kendall Marshall four minutes later.
The Lakers led 55-48 at the half.
Los Angeles center Pau Gasol became ill during the first half and did not return after intermission. Gasol had six points and two rebounds in 19 minutes.
NOTES: Lakers G/F Kobe Bryant announced Sunday he has formed Kobe Inc., according to ESPN. One of the firm’s initial investments is in a sports drink called BODYARMOR. … Lakers G Steve Nash, who has played only 13 games this season because of nerve root irritation in his back, did not play because of a sore right hamstring. Nash could return for Tuesday’s game against the New York Knicks. … Magic G Jameer Nelson missed his third straight game with a sore left knee. Nelson is listed as day-to-day. … Los Angeles G Xavier Henry is probably done for the season after an MRI on Saturday confirmed he has a torn ligament in his left wrist. Henry, who has missed 27 games, was hurt in Friday’s loss to the Washington Wizards. … The Lakers are 11-3 in regular-season contests against Orlando at Staples Center.
