Lakers Suffer Defeat to Bulls, Marking Third Straight Loss

The Los Angeles Lakers suffered their third consecutive loss, falling 118-106 to the Orlando Magic, with LeBron James scoring 24 points and Luka Doncic leading the team with 32 points. The defeat drops their record to 43-28, tying them with the Memphis Grizzlies for playoff positioning, amid criticism for struggling against teams below .500. The Lakers’ performance was marked by a poor second half, where they scored only 18 points in the third quarter, significantly contributing to their defeat. Earlier, the Lakers had also faced a heavy loss to the Chicago Bulls, where they allowed a season-high 146 points, highlighting defensive issues. Despite welcoming back LeBron and Rui Hachimura from injuries, the Lakers' recent form has raised concerns as they aim to secure a playoff spot with just a handful of games left. The team is set to face the Indiana Pacers next as they look to recover from this slump.