MANILA – Los Angeles Lakers leaned on a searing fourth-quarter rally to escape Orlando Magic, 96-93, in the 2020-2021 National Basketball Association Season on Sunday (Monday in the Philippines) at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California.
Trailing an 82-77 deficit midway in the fourth period, the Lakers went on a 10-2 scoring blast behind Dennis Schroder, Kyle Kuzma, and Montrezl Harrell to take an 87-84 advantage.
A three-pointer by Kuzma and free throws by Schroder widened the lead to 96-89. The Magic made its last push to come to within 93-96 and even had a chance to force overtime but Orlando’s Otto Porter Jr. misfired his three-point attempt.
Schroder finished the match with 24 points, six assists, and five rebounds. Kuzma added double-double 21 points and 11 rebounds for the Lakers, which improved to a 30-17 slate.
Harrell contributed double-double 18 points and 11 rebounds and Markieff Morris added 12 points and 11 rebounds for the defending champions Lakers, which were without injured LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
Dwyane Bacon top-scored with 26 points and eight rebounds while rookie Chuma Okeke and Mo Bamba added 14 and 11 markers, respectively, for the Magic, which dropped to 15-31.
Meanwhile, Phoenix Suns (31-14) proved to be the steadier team in the overtime period as they overcame Charlotte Hornets (23-22), 101-97, at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina.
The Suns surged to a 97-92 lead in the extension period on baskets by Mikal Bridges and Chris Paul. The Hornets rallied to within 99-97 but two freebies by Paul sealed the win for the Phoenix.
Devin Booker finished with 35 points, six rebounds, three assists, and two steals as Paul added 16 points. DeAndre Ayton had double-double 14 points and 14 rebounds for the Suns.
In other results, Portland Trail Blazers (28-18) cruised to a 122-117 victory over Toronto Raptors (18-28), while Denver Nuggets (28-18) toppled Atlanta Hawks (23-23), 126-102.
BOX SCORE:
LOS ANGELES 96 – Schroder 24, Kuzma 21, Harrell 18, Morris 12, Gasol 7, Caldwell-Pope 4, Hortor-Tucker 4, Matthews 3, Caruso 3.
ORLANDO 93 – Bacon 26, Okeke 14, Bamba 11, Hampton 10, Ennis 9, Randle 8, Carter 8, Porter 5, Birch 2, Carter-Williams 0, Mane 0.
Quarterscores: 22-21, 44-39, 69-69, 96-93./PN
