Lakers falter in the second half in 114-105 loss to the Magic

Another disastrous third quarter led to the latest demise of the Lakers (16-28), who fell 114-105 to the lowly Magic (12-32) in Orlando on Friday night.

Forward Tobias Harris was a force for the Magic, finishing with 28 points and 20 rebounds. Former UCLA guard Arron Afflalo had 23 points and six assists while point guard Jameer Nelson contributed 22 points and six assists.

The Lakers held leads after the first (28-22) and second quarters (55-53) but fell apart in the third, giving up 38 points to trail by 11 points, 91-80, entering the fourth quarter and never recovered.

Power forward Pau Gasol led the Lakers with a double-double, scoring 21 points, grabbing 11 rebounds and dishing six assists. Point guard Kendall Marshall also had a double-double with 19 points and 14 assists.

Offensively the Lakers were solid, shooting 45.6% from the field and 54.5% from three-point range. They had only 11 turnovers, including none in the first quarter.

As has often been the case this season, the Lakers didn’t get the job done defensively.

The Magic shot 48.1% from the field and 52.9% from long range, while doubling up the Lakers on free-throw attempts, 34 to 17. Orlando’s 27 made free throws were 10 more than attempted by the Lakers, who made 11.

Five Lakers scored in double figures: Jodie Meeks (17), Nick Young (16), Ryan Kelly (15), Gasol and Marshall.

The Magic also got 15 points and 12 rebounds from rookie guard Victor Oladipo. Center Nikola Vucevic sat out with a concussion. The Lakers played without Kobe Bryant (knee), Steve Nash (back), Steve Blake (elbow), Jordan Farmar (hamstring) and Xavier Henry (knee).

The Lakers finish up their seven-game road trip on Sunday in New York against the Knicks (15-27).

Orlando also plays on Sunday, visiting the New Orleans Pelicans (16-25).

Magic 91, Lakers 80 (end of third quarter)

As they’ve been prone to do over recent weeks, the Lakers fell apart in the third quarter.

With 9:24 left in the quarter, Jodie Meeks hit a three-pointer to give the Lakers a 65-55 advantage. The Magic would go on to outscore the Lakers, 36-15, to the quarter ahead by 11 points.

Orlando forward Tobias Harris had 24 points and 16 rebounds while guard Arron Afflalo contributed 21 points fo the Magic, who shot 53.3% from the field.

The Lakers were led byMeeks with 17. Point guard Kendall Marshall had a double-double with 13 points and 12 assists, but the Lakers shot only 42.5% from the field.

Orlando took 26 free throws, making 20, while the Lakers attempted just 11, making eight.

The Lakers did shoot well from three-point range, hitting 10 of 17 (58.8%). The Magic weren’t too far behind at 53.8% (7 of 13).

Lakers 55, Magic 53 (halftime)

The Lakers pushed their lead to eight points in the second quarter but the Magic charged back, scoring 13 unanswered points to take a five-point lead.

A late three-point shot from forward Wesley Johnson returned the lead to the Lakers heading into halftime.

Power forward Pau Gasol led the Lakers with 12 points and six rebounds. Guard Jodie Meeks chipped in 10 points for the Lakers, who shot 46.7% from the field and 50% from three-point range (6 of 12).

Forward Tobia Harris had 17 points and 13 rebounds to lead the Magic, who shot 50% from the field.

Point guard Kendall Marshall dished 10 assists in 19 minutes for the Lakers, who didn’t turn the ball over in the first quarter but had four miscues in the second to help fuel the Magic’s rally halfway through the quarter.

Lakers 32, Magic 28 (end of first quarter)The Lakers didn’t turn the ball over once in the first quarter at Orlando while notching 10 assists on 13 baskets as they shot 56.5% from the field.

Point guard Kendall Marshall had seven points and six assists to lead the Lakers.

The Magic shot an impressive 60% from the field but its five turnovers helped give the Lakers a four-point advantage after 12 minutes.

Orlando forward Tobias Harris led all scorers with nine points while guard Arron Afflalo chipped in seven.

Pregame

The Lakers (16-27) visit the Orlando Magic (11-32) on Friday.

Orlando is one of the rare teams that is struggling more than the Lakers have in January.

The Lakers are still without Kobe Bryant (knee), Steve Nash (back), Steve Blake (elbow), Jordan Farmar (hamstring) and Xavier Henry (knee).

The Magic are currently without Nikola Vucevic (concussion) and Ronnie Price (foot).

For a more in-depth breakdown, check out Preview: Lakers vs. Orlando Magic.

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Email Eric Pincus at [email protected] and follow him on Twitter @EricPincus.