NBA: Orlando Magic come from behind to defeat LA Lakers

The Orlando Magic produced a marvellous final quarter to come from behind and defeat the LA Lakers 113-103.

Heading into the final stanza, Orlando were four points down but stepped up to the challenge as they outscored the Lakers 40-26 to claim the win.

For Orlando, Arron Afflalo top-scored with 30 points, with Kobe Bryant topping him with 34 points in a losing cause.

“The way we lost the past three games, I’m sure our fans just wanted to see us win in general,” Afflalo said afterwards.

“But for us to kick-start this road trip by playing well, against the Lakers in particular, they should be proud of that. It’s a huge confidence boost for us.”

The result means the Lakers have lost four of their seven games under new coach Mike D’Antoni, with another inconsistent performance featuring deficient defence.

“Seems like we can’t get out of our own way,” he said afterwards.

“I think our problem is just not coming out with the intensity and the purpose that we need to have. … We’re slow right now. Just athletically, we’re struggling with young teams that run up and down.”