The Magic have won the last two meetings, including a 101-99 home victory Nov. 11, but the Lakers have won the last two in Los Angeles.
As for Vucevic, he made it sound like the nagging injury will keep him out longer than a game as Orlando enters the second of a four-game road trip. "It's just a bad time because we're trying to make the playoffs and this is a really big trip for us," Vucevic told the team's official website. "It felt better during the All-Star break, but after that I just reaggravated it, so it's frustrating now."
Since the all-star break, Aaron Gordon is averaging 13 pts on 50% shooting, 9.4 rebs, 2.2 ast and 1.4 stl (10 games).
Bill Simmons
I'm officially excited about Aaron Gordon and he's replaced Blake as "The Guy Who Might Give Us the Greatest In-Game Highlight Of All-Time."
“We’ve definitely seen an increase in merchandise sales, his jerseys, etc.,” Magic president Alex Martins told Yahoo Sports. “Clearly, he has a higher level of fan [interest] than he had before.”
"I was just trying to get in the flow," Gordon said. "I knew the big fella, Vooch, was out, so I was going to try and pick up for some of the scoring. I settled in and just found the flow."
"It seemed like he kind of made up his mind when the ball went up he was going to shoot a bunch of jumpers," Magic coach Scott Skiles said. "We figured he'd be excited. I totally agree, though: He definitely settled down and had a really good overall game."
“I love his tenacity, heart, the dog and the fire that he plays with. If he continues to work and develop his skill, he is going to be tough. He can be a matchup nightmare, especially with how athletic he is,” Draymond Green told Yahoo Sports.
Gordon is scheduled to appear on “Ellen” on Wednesday in Los Angeles. “I’m very excited,” Gordon told Yahoo Sports. “I love Ellen. Great person. Great energy. … I love it. I was like, ‘Wow.’ It’s amazing to see the doors and opportunities that are coming my way and opening up after that dunk contest.”
Mike Trudell @LakersReporter
Kobe Bryant (sore shoulder) will not play tonight against Orlando.
Mike Trudell @LakersReporter
Lou Williams (hamstring) and Anthony Brown (foot) are out tonight.
D'Angelo Russell is averaging 22.6 pts on 47% fg / 47% 3pt, 4.4 ast and 1.4 stl over the last 5 games.
Julius Randle is averaging 15.2 pts and 10.2 rebs over that same span.
