The LA Lakers won Game 1 of the NBA Finals with ease over the Orlando Magic 100-75. Kobe Bryant’s 40 point night was the most he’s scored in a NBA Finals game. The Lakers host Game 2 on Sunday June 7. NBA oddsmakers at Sportsbook.com have the Lakers as -6.5 point home favs over the Magic with the over/under listed at 202.5 points. Be sure to get your Magic vs Lakers NBA Picks Game 2 NBA Finals Prediction in now at Sportsbook.com
The Magic led by two points at the end of the first quarter and then it was all Lakers. Dwight Howard was far from the Superman he was in their previous playoff games finishing with 12pts 15 rebounds. He went 1 for 6 from the field, had no dunks and no game altering plays. This wasn’t just a loss for the Magic, it was the worst of these playoffs, they rolled into the Finals with brawn in the middle and brash from the outside, armed with Howard and a bevy of three-point marksmen. The Magic made eight of 23 three-point attempts, not awful, but not enough to keep the game close as Orlando shot 29.9% overall. "Clearly, after the first quarter, we were totally dominated at both ends of the floor and on the boards," Van Gundy said. "There was nothing I liked. . . . What was there to like?"
The Lakers dominated Game 1 led by Kobe Bryant’s 40pts as he weaved his way through Orlando’s defense at will. Bryant’s 40pts is the most he’s ever scored in a Final game. "Offensively, he was amazing. Defensively as well," Lakers forward Lamar Odom said. "When he gets it going, he's one of the best players of all time. There isn't anything he can't do." Odom finished with 11pts 14 rebounds. Andrew Bynum held his ground against Howard, he averaged 6.3pts and 3.6 rebounds in the playoffs before Game 1, but he had nine points and nine rebounds despite fighting foul trouble throughout the game. "He had some times out there that I thought he played [Howard] really well," Lakers Coach Phil Jackson said. "Offensively, he had some opportunities that he converted on, which we like."
Recent Trends to Consider:
- Under is 5-1 in the last 6 meetings in Los Angeles.
- Road team is 5-2 ATS in the last 7 meetings.
- Underdog is 6-1 ATS in the last 7 meetings.
- Lakers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
- Lakers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games vs. a team with a winning S.U. record.
- Lakers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
- Lakers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
Lakers vs Magic NBA Finals Game 2
When: Sun, June 7, 2009 8:00 PM ET
Line: Sportsbook.com
Pick: Lakers -6.5
Point-Spreads.com Lakers vs Magic NBA Finals Game 2
The Bottom Line: Kobe looks like he’s possessed on the court and if he plays like he did last game, the Lakers will cruise into Orlando with a 2-0 lead. Go Lakers! Be sure to get your Magic vs Lakers NBA Picks Game 2 NBA Finals Prediction in now at Sportsbook.com and receive a 10% sign-up bonus on your initial deposit.
