The Los Angeles Lakers came into their game against the Orlando Magic on a four-game winning streak. They had not been beaten with Tyson Chandler on the roster, but that was going to end at some point. The Magic confirmed the end of the streak with a big win to kick off a three-game trip through the Eastern Conference for the Lakers. That was the last game on this trip that the Lakers will play against a team that didn't, at one point, employ LeBron James. The Cleveland Cavaliers are looming in a heartfelt reunion on Wednesday, but right now, the Lakers need to focus on the Miami Heat.
The Heat may have fallen to 6-9, but as long as Erik Spoelstra is coaching them, they are a threat. James knows that quite well. The Heat are among the best conditioned and coached teams in all of basketball, and they feast on opponents who try to ease through the second game in a back-to-back as the Lakers easily could. James will need to have his team at its best to earn a win here. These are the expected starters in that matchup.