ORLANDO — A chance to end their three-game losing streak was right there for the Orlando Magic on Saturday against the Los Angeles Lakers. Additionally, they had an opportunity to stop the Lakers’ eight-game winning streak they rode coming into Orlando. 

However, late-game collapse led to a fourth loss in a row for the Magic while the Lakers continue to be one of the NBA’s hottest teams right now. After the game, Magic coach Jamahl Mosley reacted to the loss, and he pointed to the beginning of the game as a contributing factor.  

“We got to be better in the beginning part of the game,” Mosley said. “Can't have lulls, I mean it came down to those last four plays essentially, last three plays, but prior to that, you know, give up offensive rebounds; small things within the game cost it down the stretch, but we just have to be better.  

“Our communication down the stretch, you got to give Lakers a ton of credit there for continuing to battle back and fight, and they gave themselves an opportunity as well.” 

The possessions that dictated the loss were highlighted by the Magic turning the ball over on an inbound pass with five seconds remaining while they clung to a 104-102 lead. Then, the dagger 3-pointer by Lakers guard Luke Kennard sealed the deal. 

LeBron James was able to draw both Paolo Banchero and Desmond Bane toward the base line where Marcus Smart was set to inbound. The maneuver left Kennard open, and Smart tossed the ball over the outstretched arms of Wendell Carter Jr. to Kennard for the game winner. 

“I mean, they did a hell of a job sprinting to the basket,” Mosley said. “They took two with them; we didn't bounce back out fast enough to get to Kennard, and he was able to step back and knock down a three. 

“Communication was, you know, stay connected; physical routes without fouling; get them inside the line.” 

By the final buzzer, the Magic were outscored in the fourth quarter, 23-17. They hit just six of their 18 shot attempts and missed all six 3-point attempts to put a final stamp on a poor shooting night overall. When reflecting on it, Mosley doubled down that Orlando needed to be better earlier in the game.  

“Well, the game slowed all together,” he said. “I think on both sides of the ball it slowed down. They scored 23; you know what I mean, and without that last shot [it] changes.  

“But at the end of the day, the game slowed down, trying to find the matchups, trying to find situations where we could find what we needed, get the shots we wanted, but again, it comes down to those last plays, yes, but before that, there's a lot of things we could have cleaned up much better.” 

The Magic will try to get back in the win column when they host the Indiana Pacers on Monday.  

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