Orlando Magic Los Angeles Lakers Game 4 Predictions
Written June 10, 2009 by Jason Lowry
With a 108-104 win in game 3, the Orlando Magic have made sure the Los Angeles Lakers will not completely run away with the NBA Finals. After suffering a heartbreaker in game 2 , the Magic responded to shoot an NBA playoff record 62.5% from the floor, and what was more impressive was that 5 different Magic players scored 18 points or more. Both Dwight Howard and Rashard Lewis came in with a team high 21 points, while Rafer Alston easily had his best game of the series with 20 points, and Hedo Turkoglu and Michael Pietrus each chipped in with 18 a piece. For the Lakers it was all Kobe Bryant early, as the superstar jumped out to score 17 points in the firs quarter, but Bryant really let his team down with just 10 points in the second half. Pau Gasol had a solid game with 23 points and Trevor Ariza had his best game of the series with 13 points and 7 rebounds. Both Jordan Farmar and Lamar Odom came off the bench to score 11 points for the Lakers, but it was the defense that really hurt this team. Game 4 is scheduled for Thursday night in Orlando, as the Magic will look to even the series at two games a piece. Here is a look at what I think each team needs to do to win the game, plus my prediction on who comes out on top against the spread.Â
What the Lakers need to do to win: What was really impressive for the Lakers in game 3, was that they were able to keep the game as close as they did with the Magic shooting the ball as well as they did. The Lakers were just 16-26 from the free throw line, and shockingly it was Bryant who could struggled from the line going just 5-10, including a couple huge misses late in the game. The Lakers had just 16 assists on the game, and 8 of them came from Bryant. If this team wants to go into Orlando and win one of these games, they are going to have to play better team basketball and find the open player a little more often. Odom played well in game 3, but he needs to be even more of an offensive force for the Lakers to win game 4. Lastly the Lakers need to step it up defensively in game 4, as they are going to have a real hard time beating the Magic if they keep getting as good of looks as they did in game 3. Bet the Lakers +2.5 to win game 4 at Sportsbook.com.Â
What the Magic need to do to win: So much was made of how poorly Alston played in the first two games of this series, but if you look back to the Eastern Conference finals, Alston was the same way playing poorly on the road and great at home. I think the Magic have to be very happy that they came away with a win in game 3, and they too have some work to do on the defensive end if they want to win game 4. I believe that if the Magic can get 5 guys in double figures again in game 4, they are going to have a very good shot at evening up this series. As good as the Magic shot from the floor in game 3, it was very surprising to me that they were just 5-14 from the 3-point line, as this is a team that normally attempts well over 20 from behind the arc. If the Magic can keep the turnovers down and lock down defensively in game 4 they should have a great shot at winning this game in front of their home crowd. Bet the Magic -2.5 to win game 4 at Sportsbook.com.
My Prediction: Magic -2.5. I am once again going with the Magic to cover the spread in this series. Game 3 ended up being a push, but the Magic should of won that game by more than 4 points. I think we see much of the same in game 3, and if the Magic are able to come away with a win, this series is going to be one heck of a showdown the final 3 games.Â
For those of you looking to do some NBA betting on game 4, be sure to check out our expert NBA picks and grab the latest NBA odds from Betfirms.
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7 Responses to “Orlando Magic Los Angeles Lakers Game 4 Predictions”
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yeah, magic better win game 4 and tie the series. I hate lakers right now and I hope they loose this series.
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Im sorry but I dont think you are right about this one. Lakers have never lost twice in a row. If not for the 2 extra free throws by Rashard, the Magic wouldn’t have covered the spread. Putting my money on the Lakers on this one.
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Sorry Emilie but I dont think you are right!
Lakers should never have gotten that rebound that lead to Bryant scoring which in turn lead to the Rashard foul that your speaking of. Did you see the ball during those last seconds – it was like it was following around the Lakers players everytime they missed – sickeningly unlucky for the Magic if they had lost.
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In my opinion Orlando will win this game 4.
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lakers win your all crazy if you dont think so 62% and won by 4 and I agree the shouldnt have covered the spread those free throws were junk
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Lakers played their best game in game 1 and won the game by 25 points. The Magic played their best game and only won by 4 points. The Magic will never shoot 75% again and Kobe will not miss 5 free throws again. Do your math kids.
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If you take a look, Kobe was extremely tired in game 3. If he continues to keep throwing up shots, he will be completely exhausted by mid game. In order for the Lakers to win, I believe some of those shots will need to be distributed to two key catalysts: Odom and Gasol. Granted Lakers have a streak of coming with a win after a loss in the playoffs, they can still very well lose this if the Magic continues with their consistency from the outside with smart plays to Howard when there is pressure. I believe this game to be even closer than game 3. Expect the Lakers to feed the ball more to Gasol and the Magic to continue their shots with feeds to Howard. Goodluck to both.
Vote: Magic -2.5
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