Watching game 3 of the NBA finals between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Orlando Magic made me wonder, just what are they putting in the water down in Orlando.
The Magic shot an NBA finals record 75 percent in the first half and ended with another NBA record 62 percent shooting for the game. The question is... how long can this continue. I figure not for long.
Even with their great shooting, the Magic only won by four. The score could have been reversed if Kobe would have kept control of the ball in the final seconds.
Orlando's offense was magical leading to five of their players scoring 18 points or more. The Lakers, looking mediocre tonight, still had this game within their reach.
I can assure you that Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom won't combine for five rebounds on Thursday and that Mickael Pirtrus wont score 18 off the bench.
Rafer Alston looked less like Rafer Alston and more like Skip-to-my-Lou. Shannon Brown, who didn't play tonight, will surely being seeing Alston on Thursday.
Kobe looked spectacular in the first quarter scoring 17 in first quarter. This is no surprise, he scored 18 in the third quarter of game one. What is surprising is the fact that he went four of 15 after that. Whats really surprising is that he missed five free throws, especially in a game the Lakers lost by four. This from the same guy who scored 61 and went 20 for 20 at the line in New York back in February.
Orlando had a lucky night thats all. They had the momentum of almost stealing a win in Los Angeles. They had the home crowd. They had everything to play for. The Lakers who had a commanding 2-0 lead in the series got a bit comfortable. That though wont happen again.
On the other hand the Lakers could have the same kind of game on thursday and still win. LA wont have much adjusting to do, Orlando has all the pressure of keeping the high percentage shooting.
Lakers should be able to take it in five because I don't see the Magic playing any better than they did tonight, but like the past three series, the Lakers are due for a bad game. So i'm predicting a Laker championship in six.
Enough said.
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