We witnessed a hard-fought battle when these two met just last Tuesday, with the Los Angeles Lakers sneaking past the young Orlando Magic, 106-103. Can the Magic avenge the defeat?

Catch the game tomorrow at  7:00 AM, Manila time.

HOME: Orlando Magic (3-2, 1-0  HOME)

Projected starting five:

  • Jalen Suggs
  • Gary Harris
  • Franz Wagner
  • Paolo Banchero
  • Wendell Carter Jr.

The Magic are back on the win column after a two-game skid. On Friday, they won a nail-biter against the Utah Jazz, 115-113, courtesy of their star second-year forward Paolo Banchero hitting a tough, go-ahead lay-up with only 14.1 ticks left. Franz Wagner, meanwhile, was all over the floor, posting 21 points, four rebounds, five assists, and four steals.

Such a momentum is what they need as they look to get a win back on the Lakers. Banchero, in particular, is in need of a morale boost as he was only 4-for-14 for nine points in that aforementioned loss against the Purple and Gold. He needs to be in attack mode early this time. He and Wagner combined to shoot a horrific 9-for-31.

The other guys, however, will have confidence. Veteran Gary Harris, for one, was a spotless 6-for-6 from the field, including five threes, for 17 points off the bench. Guards Jalen Suggs (15 pts, 8 rebs) and Cole Anthony (12 pts, 3 stls) also got some good work in.

As always, though, defense will be huge, and the scheme on Anthony Davis is key. Wendell Carter Jr. and the Orlando front court have a lot of tape to dissect, considering how Davis performed in their last encounter.

Orlando is averaging 107.6 PPG with a +3.6 net rating.

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AWAY: Los Angeles Lakers (3-2, 0-2 AWAY)

Projected starting five:

  • D’Angelo Russell
  • Austin Reaves
  • Taurean Prince
  • LeBron James
  • Anthony Davis

The Lakers are harnessing confidence now that they have two-straight wins. One was the win over the Magic and the more recent 11-game losing streak snapper to in-city rival LA Clippers, whom they edged out in overtime, 130-125.

There’s a chance that either LeBron James or Anthony Davis will sit this one out, maybe both, but no signs of that happening just yet. 

The duo is producing healthy numbers early in the season, and will look to continue providing as such. Davis was his usual monster self onTuesday facing the Magic, registering a complete line of 26 points, 19 rebounds, five assists, one steal, and three blocks. James had a nice 19 points, four assists, and three steals, though was only 7-for-17 in his attempts. He did, however, unload 35/12/7/1/2 on the Clippers right after.

Plenty of the secondary guys are shining, most notably D’Angelo Russell (19.4 PPG, 7.0 APG) and Christian Wood, who had a double-double of 10 points and 11 boards vs. the Clippers, including the game-icing putback. Austin Reaves had 15/7/7 on the Clipps, but he’s still yet to find an offensive rhythm this season (11.0 PPG on 34.5 FG%).

Taurean Prince, Rui Hachimura, and Jarred Vanderbilt are all battling injuries as of the moment, and it’s not clear who will be available for tomorrow. 

PREDICTION:

Handicap: The Lakers (-3.5) don’t cover.

Over/Under: The total goes over 219.