The first quarter of the second game of the NBA finals is always an important quarter. Both teams are mentally, physically, and most definitely emotionally drained from a season and a playoff of achieving great victories and watching dreams be broken.  After the first game of the NBA Finals, the L.A. Lakers not only beat the Orlando Magic, but rather took them to Basketball 101, showing the whole world why the Lakers deserved what they desired.  With Orlando feeling the burn, the second game can change Orlando Magic’s future; if they squeeze out a win, they get the next three games in Orlando.  This means Orlando, who went 32-9 at home, could upset the Lakers by winning three consecutive home games.  The biggest difference between The Orlando Magic of all the previous series and this series against the Lakers is Dwight Howard’s offensive contributions.  Last game he had one basket, and no scary power dunks like his team and himself get hyped up on.  This sort of pressure is felt by any one player who is the focal point of a defensive system made by the other team.  Howard is young but he will find his way to dominating regardless of all this attention.  Its all in Howard’s hands to excel, the question is will it be in this crucial series?

From the start of the game, One thing was clear: both Orlando Magic and the L.A. Lakers came to play; with less than 3 minutes left in the first quarter, the score is at a lowly 11-10, with the L.A. Lakers barely leading. Finally a championship game filled with tough nosed defense and forcing players out of their sweet spots, to earn that basket the hard way. Both teams played with energy and although L.A. Lakers seemed to be scoring comfortably, they were only .300% on the field. Orlando seemed like they were running their system, finding Howard inside to create a double team, and although they weren’t executing, it was good to see them try to work out a rhythm that is bound to go off. The quarter winded down to a new record low being set in the championship finals: 15-15.

The bench went to battle in the second quarter with both benches getting comfortable but not really making much of a difference in production.  The story of the second quarter was Rashard Lewis, going off for 18 points and really showing the worth of his 6 year 118 million dollar contract.  Orlando Magic collectively worked to get Lewis his shots, and Lewis cashed in, with him being the top scorer of the game so far in the first half.  Defensively, Orlando Magic first sent out Bynum to the bench making him take 3 fouls and a quick walk to the bench.  Orlando also forced Kobe Bryant to be a playmaker, and Kobe did just that, finishing the half with 5 assists.  Noteworthy mention goes out to Pietrus, the main piece being used to contain Kobe Bryant.  The game continues to be a low scoring game, 40-35, with L.A. scoring well as a team, while Orlando had just Lewis leading the way with his 8 baskets he scored out of the possible 12.   

L.A. Lakers

Offensively the Lakers have to free up Kobe to get his scoring going, with the knowledge that once Kobe gets started, double teams will be all over him. This will open up the floor for all his teams, and be assured Kobe will make that pass.

Defensively, they have to continue to keep Dwight Howard out of the game (Howard has 1 basket so far) and force the rest of the team to score. Orlando Magic are shooting blanks, and Lakers must take advantage of that and run with it.

Orlando Magic

Offensively, from Game 1 Howard’s teammates have not brought the shooting that has achieved this team’s success all season and playoffs. Howard is struggling, but at least he is he getting the ball kicked out to his teammates and apart from Rashard and his accuracy, a potent scorer such as Turkoglu is just not hitting his shots. Shooters like Alston, Reddick, and Nelson need to step up with an urgency to hit shots like they never have before.

Defensively, they have the right idea making Kobe make passes, thus keeping the ball out of his hand, and his double team attracting prowess is non-present. They are getting another edge by having Bynum commit silly fouls and staying on the bench and out of the game. This makes things a bit easier for Howard who can go head to head with Pau Gasol, and not both Gasol and Bynum.

In the third quarter, Orlando Magic’s offense begins to pick it up, scoring in transition and not letting Lakers set their defense. Unfortunately, Alston keeps missing three point shot after three point shot that he had been making during the Cleveland Cavaliers series showing that Orlando belonged. Turkuglo decided to take his turn in the offensive assault by hitting 12 in the quarter; Dwight’s recognition is due, and alot had to do with his big passes from the paint to find Turkoglu and help him get into a rhythm. At the end of the quarter, Dwight Howard had 10 points, 14 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 steals, and 3 blocked shots. Let us not forget about his 500 percent shooting (4-8); finally Howard is taking one step closer to his destiny. Can he sustain it through the 4^th quarter and take charge of not only the game, but the series.

Lamar Odom works hard and along with his subtle impacts he had his share of negativity by taking fouls and limiting his time on the court. Kobe keeps L.A. in the game with 10 points in the quarter, and breaking down Orlando’s defense and kicking it to open players like Derek Fisher, who did their job and hit their shots. You have to love Pietrus’ full effort keeping Kobe to ten points, when he is capable of dropping 20.

Lamar Odom made impacts here and there during game, but in the beginning of the 4^th quarter he took over scoring from everywhere, largely due to his hustle. While Howard and Turkoglu took their rest, Rashard and the bench did their best to contain the L.A. Laker’s offensive fire. Pietrus continued hounding Kobe, and contributions from a new back up center named Gortrat, Orlando held their ground, keeping the score 68-71, L.A. leading, with 8:49 left in the game. Pressure builds on Orlando when their best perimeter defender, the man defending Kobe Bryant, Pietrus, fouls out with 24 min of game play. There is another 3 minutes to go, could it be Kobe time?

The last minute of the game was exhilarating. The game stays so close and with 50 seconds left, Turkoglu takes a big shot to put magic up by 2. Gasol comes back to tie it up, and Orlando’s Lee misses the comeback, and suddenly its tie game with 9 seconds left and the Lakers have the final shot. This is what the NBA is all about: execution under the most stressful of situations, in a most stressful environment, after a long hard battle just to make it this far. Kobe takes it to the rim for the win and Turkoglu, who had stated he would invite the opportunity to guard Kobe himself, makes a big play guarding Kobe one on one by staying with Kobe and making a block. With .6 left in the game, Orlando almost pulls it off, going as far as executing their coach Van Gundy’s play perfectly, only to have their rookie Courtney Lee miss so barely, it could be said it was far too close.

Offense

Offensively, Howard hitting 7 straight free throws after missing 5 in a row was crucial for Orlando competing during the final minutes. Turkoglu contributed by hitting shots, and so did Lewis, and it is no question these men lead this team with their accuracy, experience and quiet yet deadly swagger. Rashard Lewis was especially effective with Howard and Turkoglu on the court with him, drilling three point shots and living up to his reputation as a deadly shooter. Last year it was Lewis’ former teammate Ray Allen (from Seattle Supersonics) that was lighting up the three’s for Boston in the finals. I wonder what they got in Seattle, or maybe it was just the gatorade.

Defense

By the end of third quarter, Orlando had offensively missed like crazy and the score was tied at 54 with 3 and half minutes, explaining the effectiveness of Orlando’s defense. Orlando’s defense and the involvement of the big three can be described by the following defensive play: Kobe has the ball and takes it to the rim, and Orlando had Turkoglu guarding him one on one, with Howard in the air trying to block Kobe’s shot attempt, and Lewis coming down with the missed attempt by Kobe. That’s what you call team defense. If only Kobe didn’t come back the next possession and hit a tough shot off the backboard, reminding Orlando that no defense scares this man.

La Lakers

Offense

Offense was balanced with all players in the Lakers starting line up getting involved when the others stepped back. Lamar Odom started the assault proving the critics who wanted him traded wrong; Kobe carried the team at times, and down the stretch Kobe came through hitting tough shots. If it wasn’t for Turkoglu’s block in the last 9 seconds, Kobe may just have sealed it away at the end of the fourth. The only knock on the Lakers offense was their missed shots down the stretch that they were hitting earlier in the game; like Fisher missing open shots, and Kobe making only 1 of 2 free throws with 3 and half left to go.

Defense

L.A. defense was getting out and making Orlando work, but down the stretch Kobe and entourage were at their home court, and they should have been able to close it out. Fatigue from the intensity was a factor, and overtime was inevitable.

Howard gets an and one by scoring a basket and drawing the foul with 3 and half minutes, and this may just change the moment of the game, with Orlando up by 1. If Howard can take over, the impossible is possible. Kobe steps back and takes the lead by 1 with 2 minutes remaining. Kobe makes a pass with 1:14 left to Gasol, and Gasol comes through with a crucial basket and foul of his own, putting the L.A. Lakers up by 6. (His reactions are carefully noted in the image)The game winds down and Orlando accepts defeat with a final score of 101-96.

L.A. Lakers

Kobe Bryant: 29 pts, 8 asts, 4 rebs, 2 steals

Pau Gasol: 24 pts, 10 rebs, 3 asts, 2 steals, 1 blocked shot

Lamar Odom: 19 pts, 8 rebs, 2 asts, 1 steals, 3 blocked shots

Orlando Magic

Rashard Lewis: 34 pts, 11 rebs, 7 asts, 1 steal

Hedo Turkoglu: 22 pts, 6 rebs, 4 asts, 1 blocked shots

Dwight Howard: 17 pts, 16 rebs, 4 asts, 4 steals, 4 blocked shots

Both teams played with urgency, and although Orlando had their chances to steal the game, it was a given Kobe Bryant and friends would prevail, especially at home where everything counts. Both teams brought it defensively and offensively, and in a game of basketball, much like all the other sports, one team will always have some deficiencies and hence the loss. Orlando Magic had those deficiencies, and they are definitely feeling the burn.

One thing is for sure though. Orlando Magic has made the important statement that they are ready to contend with L.A. Lakers for the rest of the series. Forget about game 1, we have a serious series in front of us. Like iterated before, Orlando lost only 9 games in the regular season, and 32 big games won all at home. If anyone can win three consecutive games at home, it’s the Orlando Magic. The environment will be theirs, and its much easier getting into a shooting rhythm when the whole stadium is cheering for you and not against you. Kobe Bryant and his teammates have been in this situation many times enough to go to Orlando and just steal one game. That’s all they have to do and they get two chances to win the series back in their territory. Expect Game 3 to be just as important as its preceding and proceeding games, and EXPECT Orlando to make a series out of this final battle.

I would like to thank NBA.com for their great pictures they took of tonight's game. If you haven't already read the 2009 NBA FINAL Game 1, you really should, it will give you a better understanding of the things that happened in this game. To get a real sense of the final battle in the 2009 NBA Finals, take a look at this comparison between the L.A. Lakers and the Orlando Magic. Also, if your a real basketball fan, feel free to read up Lebron James in an article explaining his possible exit out of Cleveland.

The 2009 NBA Championship Finals: Game 3 Breakdown is the next installment to this series.  Check it out and tell me what you think.