Watch Franz Wagner hit a step back 3-point game winner, lift the Magic past the Lakers

The Lakers appeared headed for their seventh straight win after an Anthony Davis free throw put them up 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 on the clock, Wagner had no choice but to foul Davis and make the free throw. With the chance to put a dagger in Magic from the line, Davis missed them both. It opened the door for Wagner once more.

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

Orlando has now won 7-of-8 and picked up this win on the second night of a back-to-back. It uses a combination of elite defense — third in the NBA — and enough scoring from Wagner and Jalen Suggs (22 against the Lakers) to move up to third in the East even with their star out.

It was a tough loss for the Lakers, who missed four free throws in the final minute and beat themselves up 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 held Austin Reaves (3-of-12 shooting) and others in check enough to win . . The Lakers had won their six straight against a soft part of the schedule, but they will be tested in some of the upcoming games, including the Nuggets on Saturday and Oklahoma City next week.