Third quarter report
Trailing by seven at the end of the second quarter, the Magic now have the lead. They have jumped out to an 89-88 lead against the Lakers. This duel is much closer than the pair’s previous matchup, which was decided by 19 points.
If the Magic continue to play like this, they will increase their record to 10-7 in no time. On the other hand, the Lakers will have to settle for a 10-5 record unless things change (and quickly).
Who is playing
Orlando Magic @ Los Angeles Lakers
Current records: Orlando 9-7, Los Angeles 10-4
How to watch
- When: Thursday, November 21, 2024 at 10:30 pm ET
- Where: Crypto.com Arena – Los Angeles, California
- TV: FanDuel SN – Florida
- Continue: CBS Sports App
- Online streaming: fuboTV (Try it for free. Regional restrictions may apply.)
- Ticket cost: $45.00
What to know
The Magic are 2-8 against the Lakers since December 2019, but they will have a chance to close the gap a bit on Thursday. After playing yesterday, the Orlando Magic will hit the road to take on the Los Angeles Lakers at 10:30 pm ET at Crypto.com Arena. After a loss in a game the Magic were expected to win, they now face the tougher task of proving themselves against unfavorable odds.
The Magic likely head into the game with a grudge considering the Clippers just ended the team’s six-game winning streak on Wednesday. They fell 104-93 to Los Angeles.
Perhaps unsurprisingly given the outcome, the Magic struggled to get the ball back on offense and finished the game with just two offensive rebounds. That’s the fewest offensive rebounds they’ve had all season.
Meanwhile, the Lakers had already won five in a row (a stretch in which they outscored their opponents by an average of 9 points) and went ahead and made it six on Tuesday. They recorded a 124-118 victory over Utah. Los Angeles brought the score to 97-75 at the end of the third, a deficit that Utah chipped away at but never fully recovered from.
The Lakers’ victory was a true team effort, with many players putting in solid performances. Perhaps the best among them was Dalton Knecht, who was 9 of 12 from beyond the arc en route to 37 points plus five rebounds. The team also had the help of Anthony Davis, who had a double-double with 26 points and 14 rebounds.
Orlando’s loss dropped their record to 9-7. As for Los Angeles, their victory was their eighth straight at home dating back to last season, bringing their record to 10-4.
Everything went well for the Magic against the Lakers in their previous matchup in November 2023, when the Magic posted a 120-101 victory. The rematch could be a little more difficult for the Magic since this time the team will not have the home field advantage. We’ll see if the change of venue makes a difference.
Odd
Los Angeles is a 4.5-point favorite against Orlando, according to the latest report NBA Odds.
Bettors had a good idea of the line for this one, as the game began with the Lakers as 5.5-point favorites.
The over/under is 217 points.
See NBA selections for every game, including this one, from SportsLine’s advanced computer model. Get Picks Now.
History of the series
Los Angeles has won 8 of its last 10 games against Orlando.
- November 4, 2023: Orlando 120 vs. Los Angeles 101
- October 30, 2023 – Los Angeles 106 vs. Orlando 103
- March 19, 2023: Los Angeles 111 vs. Orlando 105
- December 27, 2022 – Los Angeles 129 vs. Orlando 110
- January 21, 2022: Los Angeles 116 vs. Orlando 105
- December 12, 2021 – Los Angeles 106 vs. Orlando 94
- April 26, 2021 – Los Angeles 114 vs. Orlando 103
- March 28, 2021 – Los Angeles 96 vs. Orlando 93
- January 15, 2020: Orlando 119 vs. Los Angeles 118
- December 11, 2019 – Los Angeles 96 vs. Orlando 87
