The Los Angeles Lakers played their fourth overtime period in four games on Friday night. The Lakers won in double overtime against the Chicago Bulls last Thursday, before losing to both Milwaukee and Orlando in single overtime on the road.
The Lakers were up by as many as 14 points before the Magic pumped on the gas in the fourth quarter and took the steering wheel in overtime, beating Los Angeles 103-97. It was the Magic’s first win after a 10-game losing streak and it was the Lakers 37th loss of the season. Both teams are in the bottom three of their respective conferences.
After the Lakers game, Jeremy Lin was asked if the team hears the tanking storylines, a phrase that has become quite popular amongst Lakers fans and refers to the Lakers worsening their record to secure a high probability of getting a top five draft pick in the summer:
I don’t, but I think other people do. I don’t read anything so I don’t really know, but I hear it kind of second hand.” Jeremy Lin continued, “It’s got nothing to do with me. I’m going to go out there every night, try my hardest to play hard and win the game.”
Lin also said the Lakers need to figure out a way to keep the ball moving and not panic when the pressure is on. In regard to their opponents, Lin said the Lakers need to be able to attack the other teams aggression.
The Lakers head to Cleveland to take on LeBron James and the Cavaliers on Sunday.
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