Orlando Magic Returns Home, Gets Revenge vs. Los Angeles Lakers in Big Win

The Los Angeles Lakers gave the Orlando Magic a challenge, but the home team was able to prevail.

Jeremy Brener | Nov 4, 2023

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Orlando Magic

ORLANDO - The Orlando Magic is feeling good after its 120-101 win against the Los Angeles Lakers at the Amway Center on Saturday night.

The win comes after a loss to the Lakers on Monday, the first of Orlando's season.

Orlando looked a little different than it did in that Monday game as Markelle Fultz (knee), Gary Harris (groin) and Wendell Carter Jr. (hand) were all out with injuries. This forced coach Jamahl Mosley to change his starting five, and he went with Goga Bitadze at center and rookie Anthony Black at point guard.

Black, the No. 6 pick in this year's draft, notched his first career start, and he did not disappoint with 11 points in 29 minutes as a +32 in the lineup. He was also stout on the defensive end, proving to be a strong fit alongside backcourt teammate Jalen Suggs.

Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis (3) drives to the basket against Orlando Magic center Goga Bitadze (35) during the first quarter at Amway Center. — Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis (3) drives to the basket against Orlando Magic center Goga Bitadze (35) during the first quarter at Amway Center / Mike Watters-USA Today Sports

The Magic raced out to a double-digit lead early and never gave it up. Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner proved once again to be too dynamic of a duo for the Lakers to stop. The pair combined for 51 points in the win.

The Magic is now in a familiar position with several key players on the injury report, but the team is also proving that its depth is perhaps its biggest strength. Cole Anthony continued his hot start to the season with 14 points, while Moe Wagner pitched in with 13.

For the Lakers, Anthony Davis led the way with 28 points, 13 rebounds and seven blocks, while LeBron James added 24 points and nine rebounds of his own.

The Magic is back in action on Monday night when Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks come to town. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET.

Published Nov 4, 2023

JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.