Speaking pre-game inside Crypto.com Arena ahead of Tuesday’s game between the Magic and Lakers, coach Jamahl Mosley stressed the importance of his team defending at a high level and getting out in transition in order to cap off a four-game West Coast trip on a high note.

Playing in its third consecutive contest without Franz Wagner (left high ankle sprain injury maintenance) and Jalen Suggs (back strain), Orlando fought back-and-forth with Los Angeles in a game that saw 13 lead changes before it rallied late to win on the road.

Behind a combined 78 points from Paolo Banchero (game-high 36), Desmond Bane (22) and Wendell Carter Jr. (20), the Magic overcame a 12-point third-quarter deficit to capture a 110-109 victory against the Lakers.

It was Carter’s putback basket with 6.7 seconds left that served as the go-ahead bucket to help the Magic finish 3-1 on its four-game road trip out west. Lakers star LeBron James missed a fadeaway 3-pointer that would have won the game in the final moments.

“I thought the group did a tremendous job of not letting shot-making or missing impact our defense,” Mosley said. “Obviously, we had some mistakes during this game but our guys stayed the course the entire game.

“Guys just found ways to have winning plays throughout this game,” he added.

Despite 64 combined points from Luka Doncic (22 with 15 assists), James (21 points) and Deandre Ayton (21), the Lakers (34-23) suffered their first loss of the season when leading after thee quarters (previously 25-0).

Having won six of their last eight games, the Magic (31-26) return to Kia Center on Thursday when they open a four-game homestand against the Rockets.

Banchero’s big night

Banchero did a little bit of everything posting 14 points, six rebounds and four assists in the first half alone. Although he missed six of his first 10 shots from the floor, he fought his way to the free throw line, hitting all six attempts there.

After notching 10 points in the second quarter, he followed it up with a huge 17-point third quarter, to reach 30-plus points for the seventh time this season.

Finishing with 10 rebounds and six assists, Banchero recorded his 18th game of the season with 20-plus points, 5-plus rebounds and 5-plus assists.

“Paolo was gigantic for us tonight,” Mosely said. “His shot-making, his play-making, him rebounding the basketball — those were big plays for us.”

Wendell’s way

During one stretch midway through the first quarter, Carter scored nine straight points for the Magic, which mostly came in the paint.

He was active in the two-man game with Banchero, who recorded three of his four first-quarter assists off Carter’s baskets. Carter was efficient scoring 15 of Orlando’s first 35 points on 7 for 9 shooting before the break. His 15 first-half points were a personal season-high.

Carter was active on both ends by helping make decisions on offense and battling for the ball on the glass with 12 rebounds (nine defensive). His last shot, however, was his most important of the night.

Paint points

Entering Tuesday’s game, both Orlando and Los Angeles ranked in the bottom in paint defense, with the Magic allowing 51.3 points in the paint (21st league-wide) and the Lakers giving up slightly more (51.4).

Between drives from Carter, Banchero and Bane, 26 of Orlando’s first 35 points were scored in the paint when the Magic held a 34-26 advantage at the half.

On the other end, however, Ayton crushed the Magic in the paint, especially in the pick-and-roll game with Doncic and Austin Reaves. Ayton scored 12 of his 17 first-half points in the paint.

Ultimately, Orlando outscored Los Angeles 58-50 in the paint.

Difference from distance

Orlando missed its first nine shots from 3-point range and finished 7 for 29 (24%) for the night from beyond the arc.

Second-year pro Tristan da Silva hit the team’s first two 3s, a pair late in the opening quarter. The forward posted 10 points in the first half and later hit a third 3-pointer in the fourth to finish with 13 points.

Meanwhile, Los Angeles had four different player hit at least two 3s when the team as a whole shot 9 for 29 (31%).

Rookie watch

First-round pick Jase Richardson saw five minutes of action in the second quarter but didn’t attempt a shot in limited action.

Second-round pick Noah Penda didn’t see the floor.

Jason Beede can be reached at jbeede@orlandosentinel.com