Examining the two ORL/LAL games from earlier on this Year

[Jerry Seinfeld]

Just been looking very closely at the two games LAL and ORL played earlier this year. Couple of things come to mind. Hoping with having a few days we can use this thread to get a better grip for the finals before they happen.

1) In both games, Jameer Nelson had huge games. Problem for Orlando is he is not going to play in this series. Alston will have a hard time replicating those numbers

2) In both games Lakers shot a bit below average and Derek Fischer has played significant minutes in both. Reason that matters is that the lakers are better with Shannon Brown or Jordan Farmer on the floor.

3) Orlando won both games despite being below average from the line while the Lakers were above average. This is significant because that was the only thing that kept the Lakers in the game played in Orlando

So overall what do these things add up to? It means that the Lakers did not play their best basketball against Orlando (which they seem to have a habit of doing), and both teams are quite a bit different than before (Alston instead of Nelson who was huge for Orlando in their two wins, Shannon Brown and Farmar getting more minutes).

Anything else pop into your heads? Right now it looks to me like a Lakers win in 6. But I am taking Orlando +6 for game one and feel great about it. That over at 206 is also starting to look pretty solid. I just think the Lakers played around a bit and got bit to some degree for it. And they won't screw around with the NBA Finals.

[EastsidaProduct]

I'll agree w/ you about the Lakers winning the series. Not too sure about how many games it will take b/c anything can happen at this point. God forbit an injury to the Lakers or Howard being suspended but definitely the Lakers SHOULD take it. As far as the over on the first game, I'll have to go w/ (u. 204).

[BCaldwell32]

As usual, Orlando is being underrated!! They are playing better basketball then the Lakers right now for one reason, DWIGHT HOWARD IS UNSTOPPABLE!!!!! The Lakers will have no answer for him and when they double him he will kick it out for the wide open 3's that can be hit from just about anyone on the floor for Orlando. In addition, Howard has improved his FT% and is up over 70% in the playoffs. The best value in this series is taking Orlando at +200 for the series and watching them win in a great series.

Orlando in 7

[NBA Hero]

dont forget about radmanovic, he shot well on one game. ariza is also not a starter on those games, still coming of the bench

[Jerry Seinfeld]

dont forget about radmanovic, he shot well on one game. ariza is also not a starter on those games, still coming of the bench

Agreed. Also I just thing that if they play like they did in game 5 and 6. That Orlando will have no chance regardless of how well they play. But again Orlando seems to bring the worst out of its opponents.

[whoatommy]

They are playing better basketball then the Lakers right now

How? Because they beat the Cavs?....lol

for one reason, DWIGHT HOWARD IS UNSTOPPABLE!!!!!

lol, just because Howard is playing well, does not make one team play better than the other.

Howard is playing great, but at 23 years of age, do you think he's hungrier than Kobe and company? No. Howard's never played in an NBA Finals, and rookies just don't win championships that easy

[whoatommy]

Jerry, you're right. Lakers did not play their best in those 2 regular season games, and Orlando was on the hot streak. Lakers were in the midst of their 5 game East Coast road trip for one of those games as well.

1. Orlando now has Alston and Pietrus playing bigger roles, but now without Jameer Nelson (Let's be real, even if he does play, he will not be playing at his previous All Star level).

2. Lakers now have Ariza playing better, and Shannon Brown providing a big spark off the bench.

I'm gonna rate this years Finals mostly based on the "Hungry Factor". LOL. It just means the hungriest team will win the championship. I would say Lakers 2nd trip in 2 years after the good experience with the Celtics last year will make them hungrier for a win this year. Orlando on the other hand are Finals virgins....

The Lakers can be inconsistent at times, but they've shown they ARE the best team in the country, and the best team wins in a 7 game series

[DeeWizzle]

The Lakers will win. It may take 6 or 7 but they will win. Homecourt will be a huge factor. Howard will be in foul trouble as usuall especially in La which will be there demise.

[Bradyd]

As of now, I will give the edge to the Lakers for winning the series for a couple of reasons.

1. The best in the West is playing the 2nd best in the east. Had KG been healthy, I believe that Boston, not Orlando would have been in the Finals, even with a healthy Nelson. A healthy KG meant more to Boston than a healthy Nelson meant to Orlando

2. Who's more hungrier might be a factor. Now granted the Lakers love to take games off, but I don't the the Magic as a team are not quite as hungry as the Lakers yet.

The X Factor: If the Lakers start getting arrogant and begin to mess around like they did against Houston, then Orlando can and will take the series.