Magic Cast Spell on Lakers, Defeat LA For Second Time in 8 Days

Now you see it, now you don't.

The Los Angeles Lakers showed up for the first quarter, but vanished for the remaining three, as they lost for the second time in eight days to the Orlando Magic, 108-104, on Sunday afternoon at Staples Center.

Nikola Vucevic cast a spell over the Lakers defense for the second straight game, scoring 31 points with 15 rebounds and 7 assists in the victory.

"He's just had our number this year," said LeBron James of Vucevic. "That's all you can say. He's a very good player that does it both on the inside and the outside. He's just had our number."

In two total games against the Lakers, Vucevic has 67 points and 18 rebounds.

"I got going early in the game, so I just wanted to keep being aggressive," said Vucevic. "Whenever I got in a good position, I tried to score. I had it going. It was a great win for us, especially after we beat them at home a week ago."

Los Angeles fell in Orlando last week, 117-130, in one of their worst performances of the season. Similar to Sunday, the Lakers came out hot, and held a 31-15 advantage after one quarter.

However, the next three quarters were a defensive disaster as the Magic put the Lakers in a trance for the final three frames, scoring 105 points.

It was déjà vu all over again on Sunday as the Lakers jumped out to a 29-19 first quarter lead before the defense disappeared again the remainder of the way.

"We tried to be super aggressive attacking the rim and trying to find a rhythm," said Kyle Kuzma who had 13 points in the first quarter for the Lakers.

Orlando outscored the Lakers 89 to 75 in the final three quarters as they improved to 10-10 on the season.

"It was the second and third quarters why we lost tonight," said Lakers head coach Luke Walton. "It was a disappointing loss. We've got to get back to battling with the basketball.

Aaron Gordon had 17 points and D.J. Augustin added 12 points and nine assists for the Magic.

"It was a great team win," said Gordon after the game. "We responded well after the slow first quarter. I have a lot of family here, so it's good to get a win for them."

LeBron James led the Lakers with 24 points. Lance Stephenson scored 13 points off the bench. 

"Defensively we broke down, and the energy level was lower than our expectations," said LeBron of the loss. "They took advantage of that today."

JaVale McGee had 12 points and a season-high seven blocks in the contest.

The Lakers led by as many as 12 points in the first half, but trailed by 16 in the third quarter.

James and the Lakers tied the game with just over a minute remaining, but Magic guard Terrence Ross got to the rim to break the 104-104 deadlock after James missed a step-back 3-pointer.

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope missed another 3 on the ensuing Lakers possession, and Gordon got a dunk on the runout to cap off their second straight upset win in the series, sending Los Angeles to 11-8 on the season.

"We had good energy and got some stops. We got out in transition and started making some shots and erased the deficit," said Lonzo Ball of the comeback. "Unfortunately, we just fell a little short."

Los Angeles shot 20-of-31 from the free throw line, for a paltry 64.5 percent. 

The loss snapped the Lakers six-game winning streak at Staples Center against the Magic. 

TIP-INS

Magic: Jonathan Simmons chipped in with 10. . Coach Steve Clifford has not decided whether F Wes Iwundu will remain in the starting lineup when Jonathan Isaac is no longer playing on a minutes restriction. Isaac had six points and five rebounds against the Lakers in his third game back after missing six games because of an ankle injury. "You can't coach like that in this league," Clifford said. "The challenges of the day are the only things I am worried about."

Lakers: JaVale McGee finished with 12 points, seven rebounds and seven blocks. McGee and New Orleans C Anthony Davis are the only players in the NBA with at least five blocks in four games this season. . Lance Stephenson had 13 of the Lakers' 21 points off the bench, but Los Angeles was outscored there by 21 points. . Lonzo Ball had nine points and 10 assists, his second game this season with double-digit assists

UP NEXT

Magic: At Golden State on Monday.

Lakers: At Denver on Tuesday.