2009 NBA Finals: Game 3 Lakers @ Magic - crunch time started long ago.

by jae on Jun 9, 2009 12:12 PM PDT in Previews Comment 56 comments

Game 1 was over before the 4^th quarter started. To say it was all Lakers gives the Magic too much credit. But you don't find many games closer than game 2. Save one brief point in the 2^nd quarter, it was never more than a two-possession game leaving it all knotted up at the end of regulation. Courtney Lee hits that shot and we've got a series.

But that's history. Instead of 1-1 with the home court advantage reversed, Orlando is now and NBA worst 0-6 in NBA finals games. It is over? Miami in 06', Portland in '77, and Boston in '69 would suggest "no". They are the only teams to come back from 0-2 finals deficits to win the title.

Since no team has ever recovered from a 3-0 deficit in an NBA finals this one is huge. It's not make or break. It's "still more than likely to lose, but you can't rule it out" or break. History says that for the outside shot at the title, the Magic need to pull the rabbit out of the hat quick.

Silver Screen and Roll's Josh Tucker breaks down why Orlando still has a chance:

"In the playoffs, the Lakers have yet to win three straight games against a single opponent. Meanwhile, the Magic have yet to lose three straight games at all. That doesn't seem to bode well for the Lakers."

But that said, they're not giving Orlando much of a chance:

"I'll be honest with you: I have serious doubts as to whether the Magic can even win two during the three-game stretch in Orlando. Not because they aren't good enough – mark my words. Not, this is more about the Lakers. I simply don't see them losing two out of three games. Do you?"

Meanwhile at Orlando SBNation blog (perhaps overly presciently titled Third Quarter Collapse) they haven't moved on to finger pointing per say, but they're discussing if Gorat and Howard can coexist.

Dwight Howard is trying to keep his head up though, predicting a long series:

"This is going to be a long series and we’re a long way from done. Game 3 is all we’re thinking about, so let’s go get one win and really protect our homecourt the way the Lakers did. We still know we can do this. We tweak a few things here and there, we’ll be right back in this series before ya’ll know it."

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LOL

We USED to Believe...
WE DEMAND IMPROVEMENT!

by RunNdGun on Jun 9, 2009 12:22 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

If you're a true Warrior fan and hate the lakers

then read this

by Golden Boy on Jun 9, 2009 1:26 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Why isn't it posting?

http://www.denverstiffs.com/2008/04/10-reasons-why-i-hate-lakers-fans.html

by Golden Boy on Jun 9, 2009 1:27 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Y'alls

Need to learn to link youtube better… it covers half the “recommended posts” section…

That being said, I liked the hold from Kobe that prevented Lee from setting up better for the catch. If he’d been there earlier, he’d have caught the ball higher and in stride instead of having to reach out for it, pull it back, twist his body, and give Gasol time to come over to help. Yeah… this is what it takes to win championships, realizing that the refs aren’t going to call that because:
A) They don’t make calls like that at the end of games unless your a superstar (and rarely even then)
B) They don’t make calls like that on your if you’re a superstar
C) They don’t make calls like that when the home team is on defense
D) They don’t make calls like that at the end of games unless your a superstar (and rarely even then)

Kobe was smart, he knew the refs wouldn’t call it, just like Derek Fisher knew he’d get the call when he drove straight into Hedo Turkoglu a few minutes later. Seriously, this is what the NBA is now? You go out on fast breaks and run headlong into people (seemingly all LBJ does, and clearly what “savvy veteran PGs” do) as an offensive strategy? Does David Stern think fans WANT to see a FT contest? Change the rules so that the defender is allowed to actually have a position. They should go talk to Nascar or something, see what rules they have for passing slower cars and blocking…

The NBA, where “Let ’em play” has a different meaning in each quarter, on each side of the floor, and for each player!

"No no Nene!"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zB5DxNl4EB0
Marco Belinelli : Larry Bird

A) R Dizzle : AB1
B) AB1 : R Dizzle
C) OM : Sleepy
D) Sleepy : OM
E) None of the above

by Dubs fan in Boston on Jun 9, 2009 1:27 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I think you may have a browser problem. The youtube embedding looks fine and covers up nothing on my screen and I’m running Firefox in linux, so I generally expect and tolerate things that don’t look quite right.

by jae on Jun 9, 2009 2:00 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I’m running Firefox in linux

Doesn’t surprise me…

"No no Nene!"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zB5DxNl4EB0
Marco Belinelli : Larry Bird

A) R Dizzle : AB1
B) AB1 : R Dizzle
C) OM : Sleepy
D) Sleepy : OM
E) None of the above

by Dubs fan in Boston on Jun 9, 2009 2:21 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

It looks fine now,

It only covers stuff when I’m on the main page… whatevz. Not a big deal.

"No no Nene!"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zB5DxNl4EB0
Marco Belinelli : Larry Bird

A) R Dizzle : AB1
B) AB1 : R Dizzle
C) OM : Sleepy
D) Sleepy : OM
E) None of the above

by Dubs fan in Boston on Jun 9, 2009 2:22 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

it's a matter of whether

you’re viewing GSOM on “Wide” or “Narrow”

This is Kristin Kreuk, now zip it. - GTTM

by disguy on Jun 9, 2009 3:39 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yes, the youtube video is too wide for Narrow mode

by IQofaWarrior on Jun 9, 2009 4:06 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

Thanks annoyed me the last time a video was posted.

Didn’t realize there was a narrow vs wide mode.

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by FLAxwless on Jun 9, 2009 4:49 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Why aren't the Warriors in the Finals????

Time to get rid of Cohan and Rowell.

Here’s to Dwight Howard actually holding onto the ball long enough to get off a shot.

by yobo on Jun 9, 2009 3:04 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Ha, that video was funnier than I thought it was going to be.

The Ultimate Opportunist

by Rated-R Superstar on Jun 9, 2009 4:00 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Watch it Online LIVE

http://www.quicktvonline.com/2009/06/lakers-vs-orlando-game-3.html

by phun on Jun 9, 2009 5:05 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

thanks

The Time Is Now! Win Warriors Win!

by ballin on Jun 9, 2009 6:23 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

wow

they put a girl that 7 that makes the magic undefeated to sing the anthem lol.

So I don't have a signature well these words would do! Who knew that upgrades can have downgrades too!

by 24k state fan since 87 on Jun 9, 2009 5:54 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

this is done in 4 maybe 5

The NBA finales where “YAWN” happens.

There's a party in my mind.
And I wish that I was there.

by qin on Jun 9, 2009 6:00 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I love that video they show before the game starts

We be doin' it CROOKLYN style!!!!!

by LighTz707OuT on Jun 9, 2009 6:02 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Did you see his post game interview after the last game?

When he was trying to act like a tough guy

by 123707THIZZ on Jun 9, 2009 6:36 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

no, i slept through the last two games

by IQofaWarrior on Jun 9, 2009 6:38 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

This game just feels absolutely wrong for the Magic right now

by IQofaWarrior on Jun 9, 2009 6:39 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

lol that was a fat double dribble

by 123707THIZZ on Jun 9, 2009 6:53 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I swear to god, if I see the Magic mess up another fast break, I’m going to lose it. Honestly, this is the NBA, the Magic can’t afford to give up freebies.

by Missing Barry on Jun 9, 2009 6:54 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

"Hand down, man down"

WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT MARK JACKSON!? Do you even know anymore

by 123707THIZZ on Jun 9, 2009 6:54 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

he's the one guy on this trio I CAN'T STAND... ARHGHHGH

by IQofaWarrior on Jun 9, 2009 6:55 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

please no, god

don’t have kobe break mj’s record for pts in a half. The comparisons to mj will never end.

by IQofaWarrior on Jun 9, 2009 6:59 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

wow....

75% shooting for the half…

thats INSANE!!

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Gimme a call you will see results in just a week
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by LostHawk on Jun 9, 2009 7:15 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs