Orlando Magic defeat Los Angeles Lakers 89-75 (Part 1)
As the Orlando Magic trotted onto the court for their showdown against the two-time reigning champions Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday night, they knew that to beat the NBA’s top team, they would have to play well consistently for longer periods of time.
Winless over the last eight games against teams with a winning record, the Magic didn’t need any reminders on the night. It was almost like that they had a point to prove, as they sent the mighty Lakers crashing to their lowest total of the season with an
89-75 win.
Fifty games into the season, the Orlando Magic gave the league a timely reminder of why they are considered the best side when it comes to protecting the ball.
Showcasing one of the most comprehensive defensive performances of the season, the Sunshine State stalwarts cast a magical spell over the Lakers. Not only did the Magic restrict Kobe Bryant from having one of his conventional scoring outbursts, they went
toe to toe with the Lakers and contested their jumpers all afternoon.
Magic Guard Jason Richardson, who scored 12 points on the night said, “We hadn’t played well against some of the top teams like Boston, Miami and Chicago, and the way we played today, this is the way that we’re supposed to play every night. This was just
one of those nights when it seemed like guys said, `Enough is enough.’ We got it back on track and now we have to keep playing like this.’’
The star of the night was Dwight Howard – again.
Preventing the powerful Los Angeles offence from muscling inside with their assortment of big slams and jumpers, the most dominant centre in the league overcame early foul troubles to eventually steal the show.
Aside from his superb defensive execution, which included 13 rebounds across the board, three blocks and intelligent switches on some probing pick-and-rolls, Howard also scorched the Lakers with a 31 point blitz.
Brandon Bass returned to the Magic rotation after a long injury layoff. The dynamic forward looked rusty in general for the 26 minutes he played but still finished with eight rebounds and six points.
Kobe Bryant and Andrew Bynum top scored for the Lakers with 17 points each. Meanwhile, Lamar Odom added 15 and Pau Gasol finished with 11.
Kobe, who was more intent on passing the ball and making the play for others in the offence, had a cold night, finishing with 8-of-18 shooting from the floor. The ‘Black Mamba’ of the NBA, who played more than 33 minutes, did not attempt a free throw for
the first time in any game this season.
In a physically intense game, the Lakers drew first blood as Pau Gasol started off with a three-point play. Howard though was in his groove right from the start. He scored on two consecutive possessions to quell the lead. The Lakers however, seized the advantage
in the early minutes, as they sprinted to a 15-11 lead.
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