The 2009 edition of the NBA Finals features a 14-time NBA champion versus a team that has never won a Finals game. Sounds lopsided right? Not so fast, these are two of the best offenses in the game and we’ll look to see a lot of scoring with very little defense played. The Lakers are the clear-cut favorite but the Magic will definitely look to prove otherwise. Let’s take a look at some keys to the series.

Three-Point Shooting

The Magic have relied on the three more than any other team in the league, it helps them more than it hurts them. They need to shoot well from beyond the arc if they want to hang with the Lakers for this series. It has served them well thus far, they need Rashard Lewis, Hedo Turkoglu, Rafer Alston, and maybe Jameer Nelson to be on their best-shooting nights in this series.

Lakers Big Men

The Lakers have a distinct height advantage with Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum, and Lamar Odom. The Magic counter with Dwight Howard at center with Marcin Gortat and Tony Battie coming off the bench. Howard must stay out of foul trouble in this series or else the Lakers can make quick work of them. There is no way they can hang with Kobe Bryant and company with those two if Howard is ineffective in this series.

Coaching

Phil Jackson versus Stan Van Gundy. Jackson has won nine rings as a coach against Van Gundy’s one. Both know what it takes to win a championship but Phil’s been there a little more. The Magic did beat the Lakers twice this season, sweeping the series 2-0. Jameer Nelson played out of his mind those two games though and he needs to be healthy if the Magic want to have a chance. Jackson will adjust accordingly so don’t give the edge to the Magic here based on the regular season.

Prediction

It’s not complicated, there’s not a whole lot to this series. There will be offense. There will be no defense. Each team scores over 107ppg and allows over 100ppg. The Magic have the threes and the Lakers will look to take advantage inside. I hate to say it but it’s going to be tough for the Magic to win. I see this series going the distance though.

Lakers in 7.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, June 3rd, 2009 at 9:12 pm and is filed under National Basketball Association. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.