NBA Finals Game Two Preview: Lake Show or Magic Rabbit?

I've watched sports since Fred Flintstone invented television. Hence, I know better than to get either excited or depressed by the outcome of Game 1 of any series.

As a Lakers fan, it was enjoyable watching Kobe and the gang not only "tug on Superman's cape," but also "piss into the wind" that was blowing the Magic out of the Staples Center. However, as Kobe said: It's a win, but not a big deal.

Any old-time Celtics or Lakers fan has precedent to grasp the truism of Kobe's statement. Back in the 80's, the Celtics in Game One of a Finals, beat the Lakers (by 37 points if my memory for once serves me correctly). The Lakers won that series—in six games.

A Finals-formatting apsect plus an axiom also come into play. The two-three-two format offers the team that does not have the home court advantage a chance. If they can at least split the first two games, they get to go home for three straight games and, in theory, close-out their opponent without the them ever getting to use their third or fourth home game.

The problem is: Winning all three of those middle games almost never happens. I believe it's happened only twice. The axiom that, "A team is not behind in a series until it loses at home" is, in its essence, very true in practice.

Bottom Line: Tonight's Game Two is very critical—more so for the Magic. There's no way in Phil Jackson's Zen Zone that the Magic will beat the Lakers in three straight games—home or away. Finals precedent, plus the Lakers being the better team, virtually ensures that it won't happen.

So while I normally consider Game Twos as only slightly more important than Game Ones, this one is essentially do-or-die for the Magic.

If the Magic can win tonight, they have a chance in this series, given the subsequent three straight games in Orlando. If they go down 0-2, they can forget it, as the Lakers will certainly take at least one in Orlando and then return to L.A. no worse than 3-2 with Games six and seven at the Staples Center. Anyone here think the Magic can beat the Lakers in two straight close-out games in L.A.?

Of course, this is all scenario speculation on my part, but it's based on historical precedent and an objective (well, somewhat objective) analysis of the two teams.

What is not speculation is that for the Magic to have a chance to win tonight, "Superman" and his "Legion of Trey Launchers" had better bring their "A" game. Even that won't be enough if the Lakers also do likewise. That is because of two reasons: 1. The Lakers are the better (as in more-talented, more-experienced, better-coached) team, and 2. Kobe has that look in his eyes—no longer of a Black Mamba, but of—A FIRE-BREATHING DRAGON.

So, even if the Magic pull a rabbit out of their hat, DA DRAGON will very likely burn it to a crisp!

Reg DeVone is a Sports Jabber author.

Join in the discussion on this and other topics in the NEW Sports Jabber Forums!