Magic’s Victor Oladipo suffers concussion in collision

For Orlando, Nikola Vucevic made his return after a three-game absence due to a bruise in his right knee, and the 25-year-old Montenegrin made all the difference.

The Orlando Magic found a way to win despite an injury-depleted lineup last time out and look to build off that effort when they host the improving Utah Jazz on Friday night. The 7-foot center certainly finished.

SCOTT: “Defensively on this road trip we’ve gotten so much better and we’ve got to continue to get better”. “The first game (against Chicago on November 1) I was just popping and I told myself that I had to take advantage of (guards checking him)”. We got a bonus, though, from Fil-Am Jordan Clarkson, who showed decisiveness and accuracy on his way to being the highest-scoring Laker (with 26 points) that night. LA failed to control the boards all night, as Orlando completely overran the Lakers on the offensive glass.

Lou Williams, who scored 13 points, tried to step into Kobe’s familiar role as the game decider in the final seconds. “So the challenge will be really more tonight, not to sell the any of the other guys short, for Tobias and maybe Aaron [Gordon] matching up with [Gordon] Hayward, [Alec] Burks – guys that really put it on the floor and can make plays for other people and get in the paint”.

Tonight’s star was Shabazz Napier, who recorded a career-high 22 points, including five triples, while Channing Frye produced 14 points on 6 of 7 shooting off Orlando’s bench.

The Lakers scored five straight with Williams hitting three free throws and Julius Randle adding a driving layup to tie the game at 99 with 1:18 to play.

The Orlando Magic have been a surprisingly enjoyable squad so far this National Basketball Association season, parlaying their young core and the intensity of new head coach Scott Skiles into five margins of five points or fewer in their first eight games. Magic PG C.J. Watson (calf strain) sat out. The Magic’s bench was simply outstanding, accounting for 65 of the 101 points.

The Lakers don’t know how long they’ll be without Bryant.

KOBE ADMIRER: Skiles was gushing in discussing Bryant’s impact on the game. That time on the court also included Russell playing the final 6:59 of the game, as late game non-use of the rookie had produced the harshest criticism of the Lakers’ coach. The Magic occasionally had trouble just catching the ball, and they continued to encounter difficulty finishing at the rim.