This is the Los Angeles Lakers versus the Orlando Magic, two worthy groups of talented players to determine the best TEAM in professional basketball. The hype of “Kobe vs. LeBron” doesn’t work just like “Kobe vs Dwight” doesn’t work. While they are their team’s respective leaders, Bryant and Howard don’t face each other in direct mano-a-mano competition for 48 minutes like a hardwood version of Ali vs. Frazier. They play different positions in a team game. Having said that it may still come down to how the respective opposing defenses handle these two stars. But there are a lot more contributing factors involved.
From a team psyche perspective after being humiliated in the Game 6 clincher at Boston, 131-92 in last year’s NBA Finals, the Lakers’ collective ego have been motivated to get back and win it all this time. Certainly their play has been inconsistent with a surprise seven game extension with Houston, but they closed out Denver with a fury and perhaps the struggle will sharpen their focus in the ultimate series.
As for the Magic they have been flying under the radar, but that can no longer be the case as they impressively eliminated both Boston and Cleveland to get here. Not unlike the Nuggets, who had their own fine run, there are still disbelievers out there so Orlando will continue to circle the wagons with an “us against the world” approach that has served them well so far.
Trevor Ariza
If you’re prone to add a lot of weight to how they fared against each other during the regular season, Orlando took both games. In mid-December Orlando won at home 106- 103 and a month later defeated the Lakers in Los Angeles 109-103. In the first meeting Kobe scored 41 but he didn’t get enough help from his teammates as Pau Gasol, Lamar Odom, Andrew Bynum, Trevor Ariza and Luke Walton combined to score only 25 points. Dwight Howard’s dominating 25 point, 30 rebound performance was the key to victory in the second game.
The Lakers task is fairly straightforward. They have to limit the damage from Dwight Howard inside and at the same time control the trio of hot outside shooters Rashard Lewis, Hedo Turkoglu and Rafer Alston, especially from 3-point range. As Kleiza, Anthony and Smith showed with Denver, THIS has been a real problem for Los Angeles.
The Magic, despite having Superman in the middle, will still have to face a potentially formidable Pau Gasol/Andrew Bynum combo inside. Gasol has upped his aggressiveness in closing out Denver and Bynum appears to be waking from his slumber. Perhaps most importantly is the resurgence of Lamar Odom. Averaging 12 points and nine rebounds in these playoffs, the forward seems to be working out the back problems that have plagued him recently for he has had notable back-to-back performances against Denver. Lamar added 20 points along with eight boards in the last game at Denver with 19 points and 14 rebounds in the Game 5 victory. Still the engine that drives Los Angeles is Kobe Bryant and he is playing with a full head of steam and more importantly he has sparked that winning drive in his teammates as they try for redemption and capturing that crown. THAT is what Orlando must somehow try and cool off. They are certainly capable.
IF the Lakers can play consistently like they did in Denver in Game 6, they will win in 6. If not, Orlando will be the third different franchise to oust Los Angeles in their most recent of 30 Finals appearances.
Best-of-seven series
TV Schedule
(All times Eastern)
| Thursday, June 4: | Orlando L.A. Lakers, 9 p.m. ABC |
| Sunday, June 7: | Orlando at L.A. Lakers, 8 p.m. ABC |
| Tuesday, June 9: | L.A. Lakers at Orlando, 9 p.m. ABC |
| Thursday, June 11: | L.A. Lakers at Orlando, 9 p.m. ABC |
| *Sunday, June 14: | L.A. Lakers at Orlando, 8 p.m. ABC |
| *Tuesday, June 16: | Orlando at L.A. Lakers, 9 p.m. ABC |
| *Thursday, June 18: | Orlando at L.A. Lakers, 9 p.m. ABC |
*-If Necessary
LAKERS STARTERS:
| F Trevor Ariza: | 8.9 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 1.8 apg, .460 FG%, .710 FT% |
| F Pau Gasol: | 18.9 ppg, 9.6 rpg, 3.5 apg, .567 FG%, .781 FT% |
| C Andrew Bynum: | 14.3 ppg, 8.0 rpg, 1.4 apg, .560 FG%, .707 FT% |
| G Kobe Bryant: | 26.8 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 4.9 apg, .467 FG%, .856 FT% |
| G Derek Fisher: | 10.2 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 3.2 apg, .430 FG%, .846 FT% |
MAGIC STARTERS:
| F Hedo Turkoglu: | 16.9 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 4.9 apg, .413 FG%, .807 FT% |
| F Rashard Lewis: | 17.7 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 2.6 apg, .439 FG%, .836 FT% |
| C Dwight Howard: | 20.7 ppg, 13.9 rpg, 1.4 apg, .574 FG%, .594 FT% |
| G Courtney Lee: | 8.3 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 1.2 apg, .454 FG%, .814 FT% |
| G Rafer Alston: | 11.7 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 5.3 apg, .384 FG%, .744 FT% |
LEADING PLAYERS OFF THE BENCH
LAKERS:
| F Lamar Odom: | 11.3 ppg, 8.2 rpg, 2.6 apg, .492 FG%, .623 FT% |
| G Shannon Brown: | 3.2 ppg, 1.1 rpg, .524 FG%, .889 FT% |
MAGIC:
| F Mickael Pietrus: | 9.3 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 1.1 apg, .421 FG%, .725 FT% |
| G Anthony Johnson: | 5.3 ppg, 1.8 rpg, 2.5 apg, .404 FG%, .753 FT% |
COACHES:
Lakers: Phil Jackson (1,041-435 overall; 205-90 playoffs)
Magic: Stan Van Gundy (222-126 overall; 34-23 playoffs)
Hedo Turkoglu
SEASON RECORDS
Lakers: 65-17 (1st in Pacific Division)
Magic: 59-23 (1st in Southeast Division)
SEASON SERIES
Magic won, 2-0
Dec. 20: at Magic 106, Lakers 103
Jan. 16: Magic 109, at Lakers 103
HEAD TO HEAD PLAYOFF HISTORY
Never met in playoffs.
KEY INJURIES
Lakers: F Lamar Odom (back), probable.
Magic: No major injuries.
VEGAS ODDS TO WIN NBA TITLE
Lakers: Even.
Magic: 3-1.
OFFENSE/DEFENSE NBA RANKING
Lakers: 3/13
Magic: 10/6
End of the run for Orlando. It has been nice- knocking off Cleveland and the defending champs, but they lose here.
Wrong Dave. The run continues and Orlando takes the crown.
Hey Tugger, the Magic are going down and their demise starts Thursday. Tune in.
This will be a compelling series because both teams pose some odd matchup problems.
Los Angeles has awoken. Phil will break Red’s title record as the Lakers win it all in 6.
Trevor Ariza has got it going on.
Randy, I wonder if your LA and west coast allegiances are showing through in your preview! I’m thinking that Orlando can steal one of the first two games in LA, then bring it home and put pressure on the Lakers to prove themselves worthy of being NBA champions. That said, I reckon LA, with Gasol, Odom, Ariza and Walton, are better equipped to handle the Hedo/Rashard Magic forward combo which just destroyed the Cavs.
I say Magic in six or Lakers in five, if that makes any sense. Looking forward to reading more from you as the series progresses.
Jack B
I’m of the belief that Superman Dwight Howard breaks the Lakers’ backs and wins the title.
Believe me, the Lakers are hungry after the Celtics debacle last year.
The Lakers have good balance. If they shut down Orlando’s outside shooting game, they win easily.
This will be a competive series as both have weapons they have shown are quite effective in getting to this point. Still I believe the Magic destined to go all the way.
The Lakers have a deeper bench with Odom, walton, farmar, etc plus Shannon Brown has been a pleasant surprise when he is given minutes. Lakers in 6.
I think the pressure is on Los Angeles. No one expected Orlando to get past BOTH Boston and Cleveland.
Kobe is killer at this time. Lakers in 6.
Orlando has proven they are the real deal. Van Gundy has got his boys firing on all cylinders. Magic win this series in 5.
Dwight will carry the Magic on his shoulders and win the series for Orlando.
Kobe has his teammates on track. They will not fold.
This might be Phil’s best and last chance to reach double digit NBA Titles.
This might be Kobe’s last best chance to win a title without Shaq. Something he hasnt been able to do since 2002.
Kobe has his foot on the gas and there is no lettin’ up.
Lakers Cruuuuuuuuuuuuuuuise!
Kobe drops 40 and Orlando has no Magic answer.
Orlando runs into a Kobe Krush.
Hey, no need to panic. Jameer Nelson is justing getting his feet back. The Magic will make a series of this believe me.
Orlando is not out of this, not by a long shot.
Orlando bounces back and goes home tied up 1-1 after tomorrow’s game.
Orlando will bounce back tomorrow, not only superman but rashard and hedo will enjoy a return to form
Odom continues to be the X Factor. When the Magic regain their form, and they will, Lamar will have to make up the difference. Nelson will come around, we was just game rusty and the Magic 3point bombers will be back at it tomorrow. So Lamar just needs to get a feel for what needs to be done at various stages of the game as he is the man that has the widest range of talents to contribute wherever they need it.
Odom may be the Xfactor, but Orlando has alot more weapons that misfired in Game 1 that Lamar alone cant cover in game 2. The Magic bring it back home even 1-1.
Lakers will continue their winning ways and head east up 2-0.
lakers match up better with orlando than cleveland did. it wont be as easy as game 1 but Los Angeles wins the finals
Better game but Orlando goes home down 2-0.
40 turnovers! Orlando cant win doing that. 3 point shooters got their looks and some points but Howard is still underperforming.
Hey if the Magic can take it into overtime despite 40 turnovers, things still have to be looking upbeat heading back to Orlando even though they are down 2-0.