Los Angeles Lakers Orlando Magic Game 1 Predictions

Written June 3, 2009 by Jason Lowry

lakers-magic-basketball The Los Angeles Lakers and Orlando Magic are set to get the 2009 NBA Finals underway this Thursday when the two teams meet up in LA for game 1 of the best of seven series. The Lakers looked a little sluggish at times this postseason, but come into the finals playing some of their best basketball after finishing off the Denver Nuggets in 6 games in the Western Conference Finals. The Magic had all they could handle against the Celtics in the Eastern Conference Semifinals, needing all seven games to hold off the defending champions. The Magic then went onto to face the Cleveland Cavaliers in the East Finals, but instead of rolling over like many thought the Magic would do, they came out and pretty much handled the Cavs, taking the series in 6 games. For those of you thinking the Lakers are going to walk all over the Magic in this series, the Magic actually took both meetings between the two teams during the regular season. Here is a look at what I think each team needs to do to win game 1, plus my prediction on who comes out on top against the spread.

What the Magic need to do to win: The big story coming out of Orlando leading up to the finals, is whether or not all-star point guard Jameer Nelson will be able to play. If Nelson is able to give it a go and play up to the level he was playing before he got hurt, the Magic just got a lot better at the right time. Still the key to this series will be the play of Dwight Howard, as he has the ability to score against the Lakers big men and be a defensive force against them on the other side of the ball. It won’t be all Howard if the Magic are going to win this series, as the Magic will need Rashard Lewis and Hedo Turkoglu to continue to light it up from the floor. The Magic can live and die by the 3-pointer, and if they are making their outsides shots, this team is going to be hard for even the Lakers to beat. If Nelson is able to play it could really give a big boost to the Magic’s bench play, as they will likely need it to keep up with the Lakers Lamar Odom, who really turned it on at the end of the Nuggets series. I really think the Magic have a great shot at winning this series, and game 1 would be a big step in the right direction. Bet the Magic +6 to win game 1 at Sportsbook.com.

What the Lakers need to do to win: The Lakers have ended up right where they wanted, back in the NBA Finals and a chance to make up for last years loss to the Celtics. There is no question that this team revolves around Kobe Bryant, but I feel this team is at its best when Kobe doesn’t feel the need to take over the game. When the Lakers are getting the ball inside to Pau Gasol and Odom, this team is nearly unbeatable. I think it will be key for guys like Trevor Ariza and Derek Fisher to both have a strong series, and they could really use Ariza to keep up his amazing shooting from behind the 3-point line, as he is hitting 50% from behind the line in the postseason. The Lakers will need someone other than Odom to step it up off the bench, so that means Shannon Brown, Luke Walton, or Jordan Farmar need to have a big game each and every night. Lastly I think it will be interesting to see if Andrew Bynum has a little more energy in his step with the extra rest each team received between the start of the finals and the conference finals. Either way the Lakers have a great team and a great shot at adding yet another title to this historic franchise. Bet the Lakers -6 to win game 1 at Sportsbook.com.

My Prediction: Magic +6. I think if we have learned anything in this postseason, its the Orlando Magic don’t care who they are playing and where they are playing them at. In fact the Magic won the first game on the road against both the Celtics and the Cavs, so it should come to no surprise that I have them at least covering the spread in game 1 against the Lakers. I don’t know if they will have enough to win the game, but I think it will be a lot closer than the oddsmakers have it right now.

For those of you looking to do some NBA betting on the finals, be sure to check out our expert NBA picks and grab the latest NBA odds for each and every game at Betfirms.

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One Response to “Los Angeles Lakers Orlando Magic Game 1 Predictions”

Greg on June 8th, 2009 10:17 pm

good write up but I am glad I didn’t take your advice for betting!

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