Must-win for Magic
June 11th 2009 23:29
The Magic won the first of the must-win games in game 3. Game 4 is another must-win game. They can’t afford to go down three games to one to the Lakers. A win by the Lakers would almost guarantee them the championship. Even if the Magic were to win game 5, they would have to go into LA and win two games in a row. They have a better chance at winning three games at home in a row and taking one of two in LA. To win game 4 they are going to have to do much of the same things they did to win game 3. The chance that they shoot their way to another NBA Finals record 62.5 percent is not likely.
The Magic will have to follow the same game plan though and Mickael Pietris will have to stay out of foul trouble because he’s the best option to guard Kobe Bryant. He has the size and strength to deal with Bryant as well as the offensive prowess to make Bryant work on the defensive end. That could have been the reason Bryant looked tired in the latter part of game 3. Game 3 also saw a more selfish Bryant which is exactly what the Magic want because not one player can win a game by himself.
The player for the Lakers who should be more selfish is Pau Gasol who is making more than half of his shots. Gasol if he gets the ball more could also get Howard into foul trouble if he is guarded by Howard. If not he has shown that Rashard Lewis is not the answer in stopping him.
The biggest key for the Magic on the offensive end is ball movement which they did extremely well in game 3. If the Magic make the extra pass and move the ball from side to side they’ll find an open man. This has shown to be the Lakers weakness on the defensive end. The key to this will be Howard who had trouble getting rid of the ball when the double team came in the first two games. In game 3 he did a better job of passing out of the double team and not forcing his game. The Magic will have to look inside to Howard to get things started.
All that being said I see the Magic taking this game tonight to even the series. I think Rafer Alston gained confidence with his performance in game 3 and will pick up right where he left off in game 4. The final score coming to mind for game 4 is 103-100 in favor of the Magic.
The Magic will have to follow the same game plan though and Mickael Pietris will have to stay out of foul trouble because he’s the best option to guard Kobe Bryant. He has the size and strength to deal with Bryant as well as the offensive prowess to make Bryant work on the defensive end. That could have been the reason Bryant looked tired in the latter part of game 3. Game 3 also saw a more selfish Bryant which is exactly what the Magic want because not one player can win a game by himself.
The player for the Lakers who should be more selfish is Pau Gasol who is making more than half of his shots. Gasol if he gets the ball more could also get Howard into foul trouble if he is guarded by Howard. If not he has shown that Rashard Lewis is not the answer in stopping him.
The biggest key for the Magic on the offensive end is ball movement which they did extremely well in game 3. If the Magic make the extra pass and move the ball from side to side they’ll find an open man. This has shown to be the Lakers weakness on the defensive end. The key to this will be Howard who had trouble getting rid of the ball when the double team came in the first two games. In game 3 he did a better job of passing out of the double team and not forcing his game. The Magic will have to look inside to Howard to get things started.
All that being said I see the Magic taking this game tonight to even the series. I think Rafer Alston gained confidence with his performance in game 3 and will pick up right where he left off in game 4. The final score coming to mind for game 4 is 103-100 in favor of the Magic.
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