June 6, 2009 (Part 3); Lakers takes first crack of the series

Yesterday was a big day for basketball fans, as the NBA Finals started, pitting the best of the East, the Orlando Magic, and the best of the west, the Los Angeles Lakers.

It was a sell-out inside the STAPLES Center, with every fan cheering and jeering each and everytime the Lakers score and the Magic miss.

We all remember Magic Johnson with his magnetic smile. Michael Jordan with his patented "tongue-out" everytime he drives to the basket. Kobe Bryant on the other hand, is baring his teeth and scowling in these NBA Finals.

He, along with his co-captain in the Lakers, Derek Fisher, talked on the bench during practice, while the other players enjoyed themselves on the floor.

And with that, the Lakers gained advantage as they defeated the Orlando Magic in a blowout fashion, 100-75, to draw first blood in their best-of-seven Finals series.

Bryant scored an amazing 40 points, his highest output in his Finals career, beating his 36 point output in last year's Finals against Boston.

With that, he joined an exclusive club with 40 points, eight assists and eight rebounds in Game 1. Only Shaquille O'Neal, Jordan and Jerry West before him posted those numbers in a finals game.

Pau Gasol had 16 points, 8 rebounds and 3 assists, while Lamar Odom finished the game with 11 points and 14 rebounds.

Mickael Pietrus led the Magic with 14 points and 3 rebounds. Hedo Turkoglu had 13 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists, while Dwight Howard finished with 12 points, 15 rebounds and 2 assists.

Jameer Nelson made his comeback for the Magic, but he came up short, scoring just six points on 3 out of 9 from the field, along with 2 rebounds and 4 assists.

Game 2 will be on Monday, June 8 at 8:00 AM, still from Los Angeles. It will be shown LIVE on BTV and C/S9.

Game 1
NBA Finals
Orlando 75
LA Lakers 100
STAPLES Center, Los Angeles, California
ORL: Mickael Pietrus- 14 pts, 3 rebs.
LAL: Kobe Bryant- 40 pts, 8 rebs, 8 assts, 2 stls.
Lakers lead series 1-0
Game 2 on Monday, June 8 at 8:00 AM from the STAPLES Center in Los Angeles.

There you have it!

God bless you guys! Stay safe! Peace out! The Wizard was here... :)

Comments, questions and suggestions are highly appreciated! :)