Paolo Banchero poured in 36 points, while Wendell Carter Jr. made a decisive putback with 6.7 seconds left to give the Orlando Magic a 110-109 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday night at Crypto.com Arena.
Desmond Bane added 22 points, and Carter recorded 20 points with 12 rebounds as Orlando finished a successful West Coast trip, winning three of four road games.
Luka Doncic had 22 points and 15 assists, LeBron James and Deandre Ayton each scored 21, and Austin Reaves added 18 points in the second half for Los Angeles, who dropped four of six games over a disappointing homestand.
The Magic overcame an early double-digit deficit and took a five-point lead with 5:30 remaining, only for Rui Hachimura to hit a 3-pointer for the Lakers with 2:14 left. Bane’s go-ahead 3 came with 34.6 seconds remaining, but Doncic’s pass to James led to a missed fallaway attempt as Carter secured the rebound and scored the game-winner.
Orlando shot 43 of 94 (46%) from the field but struggled from deep, making just seven of 29 three-pointers, while converting 17 of 23 free throws. The Lakers connected on 40 of 83 attempts (48%) and 20 of 28 from the line but were hampered by turnovers and late-game execution.
Jalen Suggs missed his third consecutive game for Orlando due to a back strain, while Los Angeles continued to be without backup center Jaxson Hayes because of an ankle injury.
The Magic improved to 29-26, moving within half a game of sixth place in the Eastern Conference, while the Lakers fell to 34-21 and remain in sixth place in the Western Conference.
Orlando will host the Houston Rockets on Thursday, and Los Angeles travels to face the Phoenix Suns the same night.
