Lakers vs Magic Preview and Game Thread: Streaking teams collide
The Lakers and Magic matchup on Thursday will be a battle between a good offensive team in Los Angeles and a tough defensive squad in Orlando.
The Lakers look to extend their winning streak to seven games when they take on another streaking team in the Orlando Magic on Thursday. This will be the first meeting between both teams this season.
Start time and TV schedule
Who: Los Angeles Lakers vs. Orlando Magic
When: 7:30 p.m. PT, Nov 21
Where: Crypto.com Arena
Watch: Spectrum SportsNet
In my most recent preview, I asked how legit the Lakers' winning streak was and wanted to see them handle the Utah Jazz and easily close them out.
While we did get our answers to the questions above, that victory against the Jazz leaned more on the Dalton Knecht show, which rightfully caught all the headlines postgame.
But lost in Knecht's incredible performance is the fact that Los Angeles has now won six straight games, their most since February 2021. The hope is that the purple and gold can keep this up as they continue solidifying their place in the Western Conference standings.
The Lakers are beginning a tough stretch of games, starting with the Magic. Orlando is currently on a six-game winning streak and the third seed in the Eastern Conference standings.
The Magic will be the most challenging team the Lakers have faced in a while and that's because they present a couple of matchup problems for Los Angeles. Here's what to look out for in tomorrow's battle:
Offense vs defense
The thing about these two teams is that they're truly polar opposites. The Lakers have won six straight games mostly because of their offense — which currently ranks top four in the league — while the Magic have done it due to their defense, which is the second-best in the NBA right now.
The Lakers are 25th on defense, while the Magic are 25th on offense. Still, sleeping on this Magic team's offense would be a mistake.
Franz Wagner has taken charge of their offense in Banchero's absence and he's been averaging 29.0 points, 6.3 assists and 6.0 rebounds in the last six games.
The key for the Lakers is to contain Wagner and ensure the Magic don't have an outlier shooting night. If the Lakers' offense is lethal enough to overcome the Magic's size, pressure and athleticism, then they should be fine.
Who takes the starting role?
With Rui Hachimura (left ankle sprain) still listed as questionable, it will be interesting to see if JJ Redick continues to start Knecht.
In four games as a starter, the rookie is averaging 20 points, five rebounds and one assist while shooting 57% from the field and 52% from the 3-point line. Will Redick continue starting the 23-year-old to counter the Magic's defense and keep the flow of the Lakers' offense?
Aside from Knecht, the Lakers have also won six straight games since replacing D'Angelo Russell for Cam Reddish in the starting lineup. Reddish has played commendable defense and they'll need that from him again versus Orlando.
Speaking of needing a little more, it'll be nice to see Max Christie have a good defensive game. If Gabe Vincent, D'Angelo Russell and Austin Reaves can outplay Jalen Suggs, Cole Anthony and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, the Lakers should be in a good position to win their seventh straight.
The duo of Suggs and KCP is particularly dangerous. They are one of the best defensive backcourts in the league.
Note that the Magic will also be on the second night of a back-to-back as they face the L.A. Clippers on Wednesday, so the Lakers will have the rest of the advantage in this one. That said, this is still a really impressive Magic team that the Lakers shouldn't take lightly.
Let's see which one between the Lakers and Magic continue their winning ways on Friday.
Notes and Updates
- The Lakers will debut their "California Destiny" city edition jerseys on Thursday. Here's a peep of what it looks like.
An in-person look at the Lakers’ new “California Destiny” City Edition jerseys pic.twitter.com/VMhiHAxnKE
— Jovan Buha (@jovanbuha) October 8, 2024
- For the Lakers' injury report, Anthony Davis (left plantar fasciitis) is listed as probable, while Rui Hachimura (left ankle sprain) remains questionable.
- The usuals: Jarred Vanderbilt (right foot surgery recovery), Jaxson Hayes (left ankle sprain), Christian Wood (left knee surgery recovery) and Jalen Hood-Schifino (left groin soreness) remain out. Bronny James (left heel contusion) is doubtful.
- A report on Vanderbilt was given on Wednesday indicating that the forward will be re-evaluated in a couple of weeks. It's been a frustrating storyline to follow since the start of the season.
Jarred Vanderbilt’s ramp up after offseason foot procedures in May has gone slower than the Lakers anticipated, per the team. There have been no setbacks, however. He will be re-evaluated in a couple weeks, per the team.
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) November 21, 2024
- The Magic have yet to release an injury report for Thursday since they're on a back-to-back, but expect Paolo Banchero (torn right oblique) and Wendell Carter Jr. (left plantar fasciitis) to be out.
- We will be live on Playback for this game, so be sure to join us!
You can follow Nicole on Twitter at @nicoleganglani.