The Lakers appeared to be on their way to their seventh straight victory after an Anthony Davis free throw put them up by four with 27.1 seconds left – a win that would have kept Los Angeles’ home record perfect.

Then Orlando’s Franz Wagner quickly got to the rim and made it a two-point game again. But with 20.7 seconds left, Wagner had no choice but to foul Davis and run the free throw game. With the chance to stick a dagger into the Magic from the line, Davis missed them both. That opened the door again for Wagner.

Ball game. Well, Davis missed a 15-footer, then it was ball game. That game winner capped a 37-point night from Wagner, who has been on fire lately, taking on the role of top scorer and shot creator in Orlando with Paolo Banchero out.

Orlando has now won 7 of 8, taking this victory on the second night of a back-to-back. It uses a combination of elite defense – third in the NBA – and enough goals from Wagner and Jalen Suggs (22 against the Lakers) to move into a tie for third in the East despite their star being out.

It was a tough loss for the Lakers, who missed four free throws in the final minute and beat themselves in many ways. Davis had 39 points and nine rebounds, LeBron James added 31 points and 10 boards, rookie Dalton Knecht stayed hot with 17 points, but the Magic defense kept Austin Reaves (3-of-12 shooting) and others in check enough to keep the to achieve victory. The Lakers were coming off their six straight wins against a weak stretch of schedule, but they will be tested in some of the upcoming games, including the Nuggets on Saturday and Oklahoma City next week.