NBA Finals: Los Angeles Lakers vs Orlando Magic Game 3 Highlights

The Magic win Game 3 to make this year’s finals close and worth watching. While waiting for Game 4 tonight, you can check out some of the highlights from Game 3 here.


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Orlando Magic: Jameer or No Jameer?

With the Orlando Magic winning Game 3 of the NBA Finals with a great game from Rafer Alston, one question pops up in the heads of basketball fans all over the world: Jameer or no Jameer? This of course refers to Jameer Nelson, the breakout All Star guard who was injured and is now able to play. After playing almost all of the playoffs without him, should the Magic start him instead of Rafer?


Of course he is indeed an All Star, no doubt about that. He came from out of nowhere last season to being one of the elite point guards in the league this season. He helped the Orlando Magic for most of the season before succumbing to a shoulder injury which had him sidelined for the remainder of the regular season. Rafer Alston was acquired by the Magic in a trade with the Houston Rockets and has played relatively well for the team. He has lead the Magic at the point for the playoffs and has proved to be a decent stopgap at the 1.

I really think that the Magic should stick with Rafer Alston on this one. Even though Jameer is an All Star and can be of help, one thing that you must think is: How much of the All Star is Jameer Nelson now after the injury? After playing 2 games, the answers is "nowhere near". With him playing, he could risk not only bouncing out of the Finals if he re-injures his shoulder, but could potentially hamper the Magic for next season. With Rafer Alston playing big in Game 3, I think that it's a sign that he should be the man to finish up the post-season for the Magic. He has earned it and may be the key factor if Orlando plans of making the NBA Finals a series for the Los Angeles Lakers.

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NBA Finals 2009: Game 3 a Must-Win for Orlando

The Orlando Magic are almost against the wall. With only inches to spare, what will they do? The Orlando Magic now face a tough task of trying to edge out the Los Angeles Lakers in tonight’s NBA Finals Game 3 to avoid sinking even further to a 0-3 hole. It’s a virtual must-win for Dwight Howard, Rashard Lewis, Hedo Turkoglu, and company as being down 3-0 is almost an impossible task. I know it’s possible, but given the way the Lakers are playing right now, it’s highly improbable. Kobe Bryant have been shooting on all cylinders since Game 1, will the Magic find the answer to the Black Mamba tonight? Will Dwight Howard become a more offensive threat like he was in the early stages of the Playoffs? These answers will determine one team’s demise and one team’s victory. One team’s survival and one team’s despair. We will find out after 48 minutes of intense action. Game 3 of the NBA Finals will be tonight at 9 PM Eastern time.


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NBA Finals Game 2: Los Angeles Lakers vs Orlando Magic Highlights

Check out the highlights of the NBA Finals Game 2 played between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Orlando Magic here. Expect more thunderous slams and amazing plays in this high adrenaline series!




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2009 NBA Finals Preview: Lakers vs. Magic - Who Will Reign Supreme?

With the two slots for the 2009 NBA Finals already filled with the upset of the Cleveland Cavaliers by the Orlando Magic, now the final battle begins. The Lakers versus the Magic. A tale of two different teams. One team has been to this stage several times, the last of which was last year but ended on a disappointing finish. Will they make up for last year's mistakes or will they be the runner up once more for the second straight year? The other team is a fresh face, with their deepest playoff run despite having injuries all over the season. With a young and dominant center, can these newcomers light up the stage and once more upset the more favored team? Let's see below to check out some of the key match-ups for both teams that may lead to victory.

Center: Dwight Howard vs. Andrew Bynum

• Okay, this doesn't really seem like much of a match-up with the way Bynum has been performing recently, or maybe not performing is the right term. With Dwight Howard clearly establishing to the whole world that he is the premiere center in the game today, can Bynum challenge Superman and make him work for his points and rebounds? This will be a match-up to watch as we can never count Bynum out.

Back court: Kobe Bryant and Derek Fisher vs. Courtney Lee and Rafer Alston

• Now this one is clearly in favor of the Lakers, with Kobe Bryant looking better than ever. He still seems like he's that 18 year old youngster in terms of speed and versatility, but now possesses the veteran IQ and wisdom earned from his 13 years in the league. Even if Derek Fisher has been a non-factor in most of the Lakers game's, Kobe surely makes this in favor of the Lakers. Alston and Lee are very decent, can shoot three's and Lee is a very good defender, so we'll see if he can try and stop the Black Mamba.

Power Forward: Pau Gasol vs. Rashard Lewis

• The match-up at the 4 is a very interesting one. On one hand, Rashard Lewis is versatile and can shoot lights out from 3 ball, while Pau Gasol has established himself as a post master of late and has an array of post moves that have made their past opponents cringe each time he touches the ball. Who will win in this duel will be a big advantage and may be a deciding factor in the series.

Bench Players:

• With the bench becoming an increasingly important part in any play-off run, it is now multiplied once the Finals is on hand. The Lakers bench are composed of Jordan Farmar, Shannon Brown, and Lamar Odom while Orlando's are Mickael Pietrus, Anthony Johnson, and Marcin Gortat. While Odom and Farmar can give any bench a run for their money, this match-up could go both ways, with how well Pietrus has been playing and Gortat emerging as a decent back-up center giving quality minutes.

Head Coach: Stan Van Gundy vs. Phil Jackson

• The battle of the head coaches is also one match-up worthy of a deeper look. Both have won titles, with Phil Jackson having more bling to show for than SVG. He has been the center of controvesy with his abilities being questioned by his superstar Dwight Howard, as well as Shaquille O'Neal. Will Stan Van Gundy be able to prove them wroing and match-up move for move with the zen master Jackson? It's gonna be one factor to look at more closely as the series progresses

With these said, I believe that the Lakers just has the deep bench, the superstar in Kobe Bryant, and an amazing supporting cast to lead them to the title. It won't be an easy fight but I think last year's runner up will make up for it this year. My prediction is Lakers in 6

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