Lakers lose to Magic on Nikola Vucevic’s game-winning shot at buzzer

Nikola Vucevic returned from a three-game absence on Wednesday to make the game-winning shot in Orlando’s 101-99 victory over the Lakers.

Vucevic, a former USC star, received an inbound pass on the left wing from Tobias Harris with 1.5 seconds left, turned around and shot a jumper over Roy Hibbert to give the Magic the win.

Orlando had pulled ahead by five points with just more than two minutes left but veteran guard Lou Williams hit three straight free throws and Julius Randle made a turnaround jumper to tie the score at 99.

The Lakers had possession with 25.5 seconds left, but Williams shot an airball on a broken play. Hibbert collected the rebound, scoring for what he hoped was the game winner, but the 24-second shot clock had expired on Williams’ miss.

That set up the final play for Vucevic and the Magic. The center finished with 18 points off the bench. Shabazz Napier was the game’s leading scorer with 22 points, making five of nine three-point shots. The Magic also got 16 points from Evan Fournier and 11 from Harris.

With Kobe Bryant missing his second consecutive game because of a sore back, the Lakers were led by Hibbert’s 15 points. D’Angelo Russell played his most complete game of the season, finishing with 14 points, six rebounds and three assists while getting the chance to finish the game alongside Williams.

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Lakers forward Nick Young looks to pass the ball as he is covered by theMagic’s Channing Frye, left, and Tobias Harris (12) in the first half.

  (John Raoux / Associated Press)

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Lakers forward Metta World Peace guards Magic guard Elfrid Payton as he drive in the first half Wednesday night in Orlando.

  (John Raoux / Associated Press)

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Magic guard Victor Oladipo gets up slowly after he was injured in the first half. He left the game and did not return.

  (John Raoux / Associated Press)

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Lakers guard D’Angelo Russell (1) pulls a rebound away from Magic center Dewayne Dedmon in the first half of a game Nov. 11 in Orlando.

  (Stephen M. Dowell / Orlando Sentinel)

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Lakers forward Brandon Bass (2) tries to drive past Magic center Nikola Vucevic during their game Wednesday night.

  (Sam Greenwood / Getty Images)

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Magic center Nikola Vucevic elevates for his game-winning shot over Lakers center Roy Hibbert.

  (John Raoux / Associated Press)

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Magic center Nikola Vucevic (arms raised) celebrates with teammates after hitting a game-winning shot at the buzzer against the Lakers.

  (Stephen M. Dowell / Orlando Sentinel)

Larry Nance Jr. hit all six of his shots for 13 points. Williams added 13, Randle 12 and Nick Young 10.

The Lakers shot 49.4% from the field but turned the ball over 14 times. The Magic converted only 40% of their shots but made up for it from behind the three-point line with 13 makes in 28 tries (46.4%). The Lakers made seven of 22 (31.8%) three-point attempts.

Orlando guard Victor Oladipo left early with concussion symptoms after colliding with a teammate.

The Lakers (1-7) will travel to Dallas to play the Mavericks (3-4) on Friday. The Magic (4-5) host the Utah Jazz (4-3) on Friday.

Email Eric Pincus at eric.pincus@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @EricPincus.