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Lakers' 118-116 loss to Sixers featured growing pains, improved lottery odds

/ STAFF WRITER

LOS ANGELES - The Staples Center scoreboard flashed a highlight that brought back pleasant memories for Lakers fans.

During a timeout, a video clip showed rookie Magic Johnson filling in for an injured Kareem Abdul-Jabbar at center to secure a decisive Game 6 win over the Philadelphia 76ers in the 1980 NBA Finals.

It’s safe to say the Lakers’ 118-116 to the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday at Staples Center will not yield much footage as important as Johnson’s first of five NBA championships.

Lakers guard D'Angelo Russell took a 3-pointer that officials determined did not hit the rim, and therefore, sparked a shot-clock violation as the Lakers trailed, 113-112, with 25 seconds remaining.