15-5, +31.25, 75%
5* Orlando Magic +6.5 -110
Media, public, announcers, analysts, columnists, Joe Blow and yo mama all sucking off the Lakers still. The public is fickle. They only remember last game. Lakers are 25 points better than Magic, right? No.
I thought the Lakers would come out hot, they have NBA Finals experience. I felt the Magic would come out cold, they had a week layoff that effects shooting. They went on the west coast which effects the internal clock. But they have been out there now for awhile, they have gotten adjusted, and it's time for them to respond in that underdog role that they love.
A lot of people were split on who would win this series coming in. People were giving the Magic their respect. That's not their game. And after game 1, the Magic are being given no respect. It's not about whether the Magic can win the series anymore, and it is now about if the Lakers will sweep.
The Magic love this underdog role, and they thrive in it. They got away from Dwight Howard last game, they threw a rusty Jameer into the mix and upset their chemistry. Jameer will play, but it has been clearly defined by SVG that Jameer is off the bench and Alston is his starter. Stability has been handled. They will slow this game down if they can, get out of that running pace the Lakers love, and get back to their halfcourt set with Dwight dominating in the low post and feeding open shooters. When you lose the way the Magic did, it's time to bounceback and get back to basic: Get the ball to the most dominant man in the game and setup your shooters with open looks, not the other way around.
You may remember that the Lakers are one of the worst teams in the NBA after blow out wins: Lakers are 3-9 ATS in their last 12 games following a S.U. win. Lakers are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 games following a SU win of more than 10 points.
Meanwhile, Orlando bounces back as good as anyone in the NBA. Magic are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games following a SU loss of more than 10 points. Magic are 37-14 ATS in their last 51 games following a S.U. loss.
6.5 is a lot of points in basketball. It's actually a ton. Last game is history, and I guarantee the Magic come in much more focused, and much more in rhythm in this game. Road team is 5-2 ATS in the last 7 meetings. Underdog is 6-1 ATS in the last 7 meetings.
Stability in defining his starting point guard, adjustment has been made to the west coast time, Magic have seen the Lakers now and know what they have, I don't think the Magic can play any worse than what they did.
This is the Finals, the Magic didn't get here by accident. Their goal was to come out to LA and get a split. That goal is still within reach. Bounceback time.
Expect a good effort from the Magic tonight.
Lakers 101
Orlando 100
5* Orlando Magic +6.5 -110
Media, public, announcers, analysts, columnists, Joe Blow and yo mama all sucking off the Lakers still. The public is fickle. They only remember last game. Lakers are 25 points better than Magic, right? No.
I thought the Lakers would come out hot, they have NBA Finals experience. I felt the Magic would come out cold, they had a week layoff that effects shooting. They went on the west coast which effects the internal clock. But they have been out there now for awhile, they have gotten adjusted, and it's time for them to respond in that underdog role that they love.
A lot of people were split on who would win this series coming in. People were giving the Magic their respect. That's not their game. And after game 1, the Magic are being given no respect. It's not about whether the Magic can win the series anymore, and it is now about if the Lakers will sweep.
The Magic love this underdog role, and they thrive in it. They got away from Dwight Howard last game, they threw a rusty Jameer into the mix and upset their chemistry. Jameer will play, but it has been clearly defined by SVG that Jameer is off the bench and Alston is his starter. Stability has been handled. They will slow this game down if they can, get out of that running pace the Lakers love, and get back to their halfcourt set with Dwight dominating in the low post and feeding open shooters. When you lose the way the Magic did, it's time to bounceback and get back to basic: Get the ball to the most dominant man in the game and setup your shooters with open looks, not the other way around.
You may remember that the Lakers are one of the worst teams in the NBA after blow out wins: Lakers are 3-9 ATS in their last 12 games following a S.U. win. Lakers are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 games following a SU win of more than 10 points.
Meanwhile, Orlando bounces back as good as anyone in the NBA. Magic are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games following a SU loss of more than 10 points. Magic are 37-14 ATS in their last 51 games following a S.U. loss.
6.5 is a lot of points in basketball. It's actually a ton. Last game is history, and I guarantee the Magic come in much more focused, and much more in rhythm in this game. Road team is 5-2 ATS in the last 7 meetings. Underdog is 6-1 ATS in the last 7 meetings.
Stability in defining his starting point guard, adjustment has been made to the west coast time, Magic have seen the Lakers now and know what they have, I don't think the Magic can play any worse than what they did.
This is the Finals, the Magic didn't get here by accident. Their goal was to come out to LA and get a split. That goal is still within reach. Bounceback time.
Expect a good effort from the Magic tonight.
Lakers 101
Orlando 100
