Los Angeles — The Los Angeles Lakers let a double-digit advantage slip away Monday night, falling 107-104 to the Orlando Magic when a last-second three-pointer by LeBron James missed its mark at Crypto.com Arena.
Los Angeles led by as many as 12 early in the third quarter but could not secure key defensive stops in the closing minutes. “We just never got that one stop to stretch it to two possessions,” James said after the game. “Every time we went up three, they answered.”
The decisive basket came on an offensive rebound and put-back by Orlando with 3.7 seconds left. On the ensuing play, the Lakers ran a set designed for Luka Doncic, who appeared to have space beyond the arc before passing to James. Forced into a contested attempt near the sideline, James’ shot bounced off the rim as time expired.
James said the play was executed as drawn up but could not explain why Doncic gave up the look. “He came off clean,” James noted, adding that the guard might have felt off balance before delivering the pass. “I was off balance, too, when I caught it.”
Los Angeles ends its five-game home stand at 2-3 and travels next to face the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday.
Source: Lakers Nation
