2009 NBA Finals - Game 2 Preview: Los Angeles Lakers Vs. Orlando Magic

The 2009 NBA Finals just might get out of hand for the Orlando Magic in Game 2.

Although Game 2 is (not quite) a Must Win, the discombobulated Magic, most prove that the franchise can at least compete with the Los Angeles Lakers for the full 48 minutes, in the aftermath of Thursday's 100-75 Game 1 shellacking. Game 1 was an unmitigated disaster for the Orlando Magic as the surging Lake Show flexed their imposing Championship muscle.

The initial meeting featured the superior gamesmanship of a locked-in 40-8-8 Kobe Bryant, timely contributions from the L.A. supporting cast, and the swarming defense of an athletic, long, and lean Laker front line that harassed Dwight Howard and his mates into shooting a wretched 29% from the floor. Orlando is an inside-out, 3-point shooting ball club that is absolutely doomed when the jumper goes cold.

Orlando has not mashed the panic button yet, but the collective hands of Central Florida remain at the ready to abandon the ship of reason with another NBA Finals debacle.

This article presents the three key match ups that will determine the outcome of Game 2.

The Orlando Magic cannot afford to get blown out of the gym, yet again.

#3 2009 NBA Finals - Game 2, Los Angeles Lakers vs. Orlando Magic Key Match up: Kobe Bryant vs. Kobe Bryant

The Black Mamba put the full repertoire on display with his Game 1 masterpiece.

Kobe Bryant, the best player in all of basketball, slapped together his greatest post season performance ever against the Orlando Magic. Kobe knocked down jump shots, posted up, beat his man off the dribble with penetration, and drew contact to tally up 40 points. Mr. Bryant was in control from jump and proved that he is the most cold blooded assassin alive in sports.

Still, the face of the Los Angeles Lakers franchise managed to keep his teammates involved. Kobe executed the perfect floor game while ringing up 8 assists to go with his 8 rebounds. Bryant's renewed emphasis upon team play created double-digit scoring opportunities for both Lamar Odom and Pau Gasol. The pair chipped in together for a solid 27 points and 22 rebounds.

Indeed, Kobe Bryant is picking his spots to destroy the Orlando defense.

The 6'6 215 lbs Mickael Pietrus lacks the foot speed to face guard Bryant from driving the ball to the tin and the relatively diminutive Courtney Lee is completely overmatched in terms of size at shooting guard. Ironically, Bryant faced his stiffest competition from J.J. Redick. Redick "limited" the Black Mamba to two points upon 1-5 shooting.

All jokes aside, the Orlando Magic have no answer for Kobe Bryant. Of course, no team this side of Cleveland, Denver, or Miami is capable of matching one-on-one firepower with this scorer. Kobe is a sure fire lock for 30-40 every night. However, the Magic must contain his ability to facilitate the offense and create space for the likes of Derek Fisher, Luke Walton, and Trevor Ariza to wreak havoc.

Kobe is desperate to cement his own winning Legacy atop the Pantheon of the all time Greats. Of course, today's dominance arrives courtesy of the well-publicized fallout with Shaquille O'Neal, ongoing media backlash towards the Black Mamba, and last season's NBA Finals embarrassment at the hands of the despised Boston Celtics.

Kobe Bryant will not be denied.

#3 2009 NBA Finals - Game 2, Los Angeles Lakers vs. Orlando Magic Key Match up: Kobe Bryant vs. Kobe Bryant

Advantage: Los Angeles Lakers

#2 2009 NBA Finals - Game 2, Los Angeles Lakers vs. Orlando Magic Key Match up: Andrew Bynum vs. Dwight Howard

Dwight Howard scored 12 points in Game 1.

The Man-Child went 1-6 from the field, without dunking the basketball, and was forced to earn his points at the line. Howard reverted back to his old form at the charity stripe and shot a miserable 63% on free throws. The Los Angeles Lakers game plan exposed the weaknesses of Dwight Howard's development. Superman is still a raw athlete that lacks polish.

Kendrick Perkins and the Boston Celtics proved that Howard could be corralled by brute strength. The underrated Perkins simply got physical with Superman and forced Orlando's center to operate from the foul line - extended area in the high post. Dwight Howard lacks a consistent 15-foot jump shot and is unable to use the dribble drive to manufacture scores from that distance. The Magic focal point averaged a pedestrian 16 points per game versus the Boston Celtics during the 2009 NBA Playoffs.

Whereas Perkins gave Howard fits by using force, the Lakers have installed their trademark brand of athleticism to harass this beast in the paint. Lamar Odom, Trevor Ariza, Pau Gasol, and Andrew Bynum have all been trained to converge towards the rim and swarm Dwight Howard's drop step and spin pet moves. Howard must calibrate his game to effectively combat this Western Conference style of attack.

Andrew Bynum will be largely unable to match Howard point for point on the stat sheet. However, Bynum's role is to stay active, throw his body at the big man, and serve as a roadblock to make life difficult for Dwight Howard. The Laker youngster scored 9 points and took down 9 rebounds during 22 minutes of play to neutralize Orlando's star.

Certainly, Game 1 has proven that Los Angeles is quite prepared to get Bynum's back.

Meanwhile, Orlando's Hedo Terkoglu and Rashard Lewis shot a combined 5-21, while clanging contested jump shots off the iron from every possible angle. Magic wings, especially role players, will be unable to punish L.A.'s defensive commitment to stopping Howard on the road.

#2 2009 NBA Finals - Game 2, Los Angeles Lakers vs Orlando Magic Key Match up: Andrew Bynum vs. Dwight Howard

Advantage: Los Angeles Lakers

#1 2009 NBA Finals - Game 2, Los Angeles Lakers vs. Orlando Magic Key Match up: Rafer Alston vs. Jameer Nelson

Jameer Nelson is the one true player that is capable of inflicting damage upon the Los Angeles Lakers remaining on the Magic roster. The Lakers soft spot is at point guard and the platoon-unit of Derek Fisher and Jordan Farmar is routinely torched by big time guards. Nelson also proved to be unstoppable, averaging 27.5 points, 6.5 assists, and 5.5 rebounds amidst Orlando's two-game regular season sweep of this L.A. club.

Of course, Nelson's torn labrum injury forced him to the sidelines near the midpoint of the 2008 regular season. Prior to Game 1, the budding All-Star had not faced in-game action since February 2, 2009. Predictably, Nelson checked in to the Finals, provided a quick spark, and flamed out with 6 points and 4 assists over the course of 23 minutes.

The fourth-year pro is clearly not back in game shape. Still, Stan Van Gundy stuck to his guns and left a gassed Nelson out on the floor to degenerate into an abject liability. The curious substitution pattern swung the flow of the game towards the Lakers favor. The Magic were clearly out of sync as Rafer Alston, the integral cog of this NBA Finals run languished on the bench.

The Orlando brass is caught between a rock and a hard place. Bringing Nelson along slowly preserves continuity, while putting the team at risk of getting dominated; while calling this man's number out fresh into the game and throwing him into the fire may only incite a topsy-turvy frenetic pace and shake the confidence of Rafer "Skip to my Lou" Alston.

The Orlando Magic must remember who got them here.

Besides, Game 3 is the real time to hit the panic button, start Nelson, and pray.

#1 2009 NBA Finals - Game 2, Los Angeles Lakers vs. Orlando Magic Key Match up: Rafer Alston vs. Jameer Nelson

Advantage: Los Angeles Lakers

2009 NBA Finals - Game 2, Los Angeles Lakers vs. Orlando Magic Prediction:

Los Angeles - 108

Orlando - 93

The Lakers hold serve and protect home court. Game 3 is a must win for Orlando.

2009 NBA Finals: Lakers Vs. Magic - Game 2 Preview, Sources:

Kofi Bofah, 2009 NBA Finals Preview: Los Angeles Lakers Vs. Orlando Magic, http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1801446/2009_nba_finals_preview_los_angeles.html?cat=14

Kofi Bofah, 2009 NBA Finals - Game 3 Preview: L.A. Lakers vs. Orlando Magic, http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1825879/2009_nba_finals_lakers_vs_magic_game.html?cat=14

The Official Web Site of the NBA, http://www.nba.com/finals2009/

The Official Web Site of the Los Angeles Lakers, http://www.nba.com/lakers/

The Official Web Site of the Orlando Magic, http://www.nba.com/magic/Eastern_Conference_Finals_Spla-313492-1664.html