It wasn't pretty, but the Lakers made the defensive stops when they needed it, and they made the big shots and free throws when they had to, and escaped with a 101-96 win in overtime in Game 2 of the NBA Finals. The Lakers used another balanced scoring attack as Kobe had a team high 29 points to go with eight assists. Pau Gasol added 24 points and 10 rebounds, and Lamar Odom had another great game off the bench, scoring 19 points and pulling down eight rebounds.
The Lakers shot 46% from the floor, but early in the game it looked like both teams were struggling to make their shots. At one point in the second quarter, both teams were shooting under 35% for the game. Orlando wound up shooting 42% for the game with a better showing in the second half, but made just 10 of 30 from three-point land. Rashard Lewis led all scorers with 34 points. Lewis also chipped in with 11 rebounds, while Hedo Turkoglu added 22 points, and Dwight Howard had 17 points to go with his game high 16 rebounds.
The Lakers were badly beaten on the boards tonight, 44-35, but they out-scored the Magic at free throw line 24-20.
The game was tied after the first quarter, but the Lakers stretched it out to a five-point half-time lead, 40-35. The Magic came out of the locker room poised to send this series back to Orlando tied, and would lead after three quarters, 65-63. The game was a see-saw battle throughout the fourth quarter, and the Lakers had a chance to win it with just nine seconds left. But Hedo Turkoglu blocked Kobe's shot with :00.6 seconds left in regulation. The Magic tried one last lob and shoot play, but Courtney Lee missed the open lay-up from the inbounds lob pass, sending the game into overtime.
Teams taking a 2-0 playoff series lead in the NBA have historically won 94% of the time, so the percentages favor the Lakers heading into Game 3. The Magic have a chance now to regain home court as the next three games are in Orlando. Game 3 is Tuesday night, with Game 4 on Thursday night, and Game 5 a week from tonight if the magic win either of the next two games.
The Lakers shot 46% from the floor, but early in the game it looked like both teams were struggling to make their shots. At one point in the second quarter, both teams were shooting under 35% for the game. Orlando wound up shooting 42% for the game with a better showing in the second half, but made just 10 of 30 from three-point land. Rashard Lewis led all scorers with 34 points. Lewis also chipped in with 11 rebounds, while Hedo Turkoglu added 22 points, and Dwight Howard had 17 points to go with his game high 16 rebounds.
The Lakers were badly beaten on the boards tonight, 44-35, but they out-scored the Magic at free throw line 24-20.
The game was tied after the first quarter, but the Lakers stretched it out to a five-point half-time lead, 40-35. The Magic came out of the locker room poised to send this series back to Orlando tied, and would lead after three quarters, 65-63. The game was a see-saw battle throughout the fourth quarter, and the Lakers had a chance to win it with just nine seconds left. But Hedo Turkoglu blocked Kobe's shot with :00.6 seconds left in regulation. The Magic tried one last lob and shoot play, but Courtney Lee missed the open lay-up from the inbounds lob pass, sending the game into overtime.
Teams taking a 2-0 playoff series lead in the NBA have historically won 94% of the time, so the percentages favor the Lakers heading into Game 3. The Magic have a chance now to regain home court as the next three games are in Orlando. Game 3 is Tuesday night, with Game 4 on Thursday night, and Game 5 a week from tonight if the magic win either of the next two games.
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