Jeremy Lin-led Lakers trounce listless Magic, 101-84

Coming off of their fourth straight loss, the Orlando Magic continued their four-game West coast road trip against the Los Angeles Lakers. From the start, the Lakers controlled the game, winning 101-84.

Despite a quick 4-0 start for the Magic, the Lakers looked the better team for much of the opening 12 minutes. The Lakers answered the Magic's start with a 19-to-4 run of their own, thanks to missed shots and lazy defense from the Magic. Like they have in their previous four games, the Magic looked flat and lifeless for much of the quarter, not allowing their defense to dictate the game. Los Angeles, playing without Kobe Bryant who sat for rest, looked sharp, knocking down 11-of-23 from the field, including 4-of-8 from deep. Ryan Kelly led all scorers with a season high eight, while a trio of Magic players, led by Victor Oladipo, finished with six in the first 12 minutes.

After a putrid opening quarter, the Magic once again came out flat in the second quarter. The Magic's lineup of Elfrid Payton- Ben Gordon- Evan Fournier- Channing Frye and Nikola Vucevic were continually out hustled, including one trip where the Lakers missed three three-pointers and grabbed three offensive rebounds before Carlos Boozer finally scored. That trip forced a timeout from the Magic in which coach Jacque Vaughn brought in a brand new five who began to give the team some energy. They were able to cut the Lakers lead down to four with just over four minutes left in the half, but the Lakers finished the quarter blazing hot, pushing their lead back up to nine at halftime. Kelly, who had 18 points total on the season coming into the night, finished with 11 in the half. Oladipo continued to lead the Magic with a game high 12, with Luke Ridnour scoring 10 off the bench.

Out of halftime, the Magic began to get some stops and get out in transition for some easy buckets. However, the Lakers were able to continue to battle and hold off the Magic's real push thanks to strong play from their starting frontcourt. Orlando was able to cut the Lakers lead down to six, but the hosts continued making shots, pushing the lead right back up to 11 before you could blink. Thanks to a late three by Frye, the Magic had the lead at a more than manageable six heading into the final quarter. Oladipo led all scorers with 17, with Kelly and Jordan Hill leading the Lakers with 11 apiece after three.

Kicking off the fourth, both teams looked like a train wreck, committing 12 fouls in the first three and a half minutes of the quarter. Evan Fournier cut the Lakers lead to three with a three-point play early in the quarter, to which the Lakers responded with a 21-to-8 run to all but seal the victory. The Magic's poor, energy-lacking performance resulted in them losing their fifth straight, once again in ugly fashion.

Without Bryant, the Lakers brought forth a balance effort, finishing with six players in double figures. Jeremy Lin led the way with a game high 18, while Tarik Black scored a career high 14, adding nine rebounds in 17 minutes of action. Kelly finished with a season high 13, with Carlos Boozer notching a 12-point, 13-rebound double-double off the bench. Hill finished with 11, with Ed Davis rounding out the group with 10.

Five Magic players finished in double figures, led by Oladipo's team high 17. Tobias Harris notched 15, while Nikola Vucevic finished with a 14-point, 11-rebound double-double. Ridnour rounded out Magic men in double figures, finishing with 12 off the bench.