Lakers squeeze out a 2-0 lead in the finals.

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Again the so called experts have been proven wrong. After the 100-75 win by the Lakers in game 1 of the NBA finals, the majority opinion was that the Lakers would win the series in 4 or 5 games. Then came game 2.

The Magic pushed the Lakers the entire game forcing it to overtime only after just missing a shot with less than a second left that would have tied the series at 1 all. The experts are still confident in the Lakers chances. The Lakers are 38-1 when leading a series 2-0. That statistic is pretty convincing.

What makes me think that the series will go longer than 5 games is how badly the Magic played in game 1. It was unlikely that they would continue to play that poorly throughout the series. The Magic is better than they looked in game 1. But there are some signs that bode well for the Lakers in the long run.

The Magic will not win the series unless they get C Dwight Howard more involved late in the game. He did not have a shot in the OT session. He hardly touched the ball in overtime. The Magic MUST get him involved more at crunch time. He is the secret to getting open 3 point shots late. If the ball comes into him and the D collapses, he can pass it out to an open 3 point shooter.

Another issue for the Magic is the struggles of PG Rafer Alston. The decision to bring Jameer Nelson back for the finals. Alston has struggled to find his shooting touch in the first two game and it may be because he is sharing time with Nelson. Nelson is trying to shake off the rust of missing more than half a season due to injury. He too is struggling.

The new roles for the guards has disrupted what was an extremely productive bench. The rotation that worked so well against the Cavs has been disrupted by the Nelson addition and the bench has become an albatross around the necks of the Magic.

The Magic can win. They proved that by forcing overtime in LA even though they played less than their best game. They MUST win all three games in Orlando. I don’t believe they can do that. I think that LA wins one in Orlando and the series is over in 6.

That’s what I think. Tell me what you think.

Bill Smith is a former coach of several semi-pro teams, has officiated both football and basketball, done color on radio for college football and basketball and has scouted talent. He is a senior writer for and edits https://fryingpansports.com. He has also published several novels on and edits .

Technorati Tags: NBA Finals,NBA,Lakers,Magic
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3 thoughts on “Lakers squeeze out a 2-0 lead in the finals.”

  1. They look to be the team to beat. I guess everything could change when the head off to Orlando but in LA, the Lakers were a better team.

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  2. The Magic had to shoot 62% to win a game. That’s funny – good luck to them but this series is probably over in six.

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  3. On game 4 of the series, Over time but still Lakers got the game. It’s 3-1.
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