In a world of ifs….. if Courtney Lee doesn’t miss off a brilliant alley-oop pass from Hedo Turkoglu at the end of regulation, they go home all tied at 1. If Dwight Howard could’ve followed up the miss with his slam fractions of a section earlier, the series is even. If Orlando doesn’t commit 20 turnovers, they go home all tied at 1.
If.
The Lakers played well and certainly earned the win, but also know they are lucky to be up 2-0.
Still, this series, despite nothing in the win column for Orlando, is a lot closer than it appears and Game 3 tonight in Orlando should really provide the true pulse of this series.
“We had chances to win. We didn’t get it done. We’ve got to go home and play a great game in Game 3 and get the win, says Magic coach Stan Van Gundy. “Series can change. I have seen it. You’ve got to take it one game at a time.”
Lakers coach Phil Jackson commented on leaving home with a second win (101-96 in OT).
“There is a sense of relief because they played very well. There’s no doubt they had every chance to win the game,” says Jackson.
The pace of Game 2 began quite slow, but the Laker coach doesn’t expect see a repeat of that in tonight’s game.
“It (was) just like a couple heavyweight boxers that have gone against each other before. They’re just feeling each other out in the first, second and third round type of thing. Just looking for holes and the changes in the game a little bit. (Game 3) you’re going to see a wide open game, ” predicts Jackson, “it is going to be a much more free-flowing game, up tempo. In the second half (Game 2) they started to speed the game up a little bit. I think they thought it would help their action and their ability to find open shots and rhythm in the game.”
Coach Van Gundy does not expect to change the team’s basic operation, despite trying some different lineups in Game 2 (forced by foul trouble) and feels it really is a matter of execution. After all, they have knocked off the defending champions and the team with the best record in the league with the same lineup to get here.
“I think the key for us, not because it’s the Lakers or anything they’re doing, simply because it’s the way we play. We’ve got to continue to play inside out. I thought when we did, we were able to create pretty good shots. We’ve got to make more of them than we did, but I think we will.”
The Magic have perfomed alot better in their last outing than the first game. They could’ve won Game 2. Being home for 3 games will count for alot.
You are right. 20 turnovers and still send the game into OT. The Magic will be trouble back home starting tonight.
Wow game 3 should be a barnburner. lots of shooting and hopefully going in for Orlando.
Orlando is going to be slinging the ball up all night and cut the Lakers lead in half.
Lakers go up 3-0 as Andrew Bynum steps up big time tonight.
While I dont necessarily agree with Hootie on Bynum, I do see Los Angeles going up 3-0 after tonight.
Orlando have been shots theyare just not falling like they normally due, good lakers defesne but things will open up back home tonight.
Orlando had alot of turnovers in game 2 but the Lakers suffered from some bad foul calls.hopefully tonight’s game will have less of both
Randy, is that your work on the NBA finals at canada.com? I’ve copied the link below for other readers.
http://www.canada.com/truly+world+game/1677545/story.html
Go Hedo!
Jack B
Ok series back on track. Game 3 was the best so far.
Lakers did not mail in this game. Game 4 should be just as good.
Lakers go up 3-1 tonight.