My Prediction: Lakers 4, Magic 3
I think Los Angeles will get more than they bargained for with Orlando. The Magic come in with no pressure and no expectations. Los Angeles has been waiting for this ring since last June.
I feel like Kobe will win game 1 and set the tone. A comfortable Laker team will stumble in game 2 giving the home court advantage to the Magic. Orlando loses game 3, but wins game four to remain even 2-2 with a critical game 5 belonging to the Magic and they take an unheard of 3 games to 2 lead.
Kobe goes back home and gets angry. Wins game 6 easily leading to the winner take all game 7.
In the end the reason why LA will win is because of their roster. They have a strong player at every position and all players fit the role of their position. This team is made up of players: Fisher, Farmar, Ariza, Bynum, Odom, Walton and of course Bryant and Gasol.
Orlando has players, but they are all odd basketball players who don't fit the normal mold of their positions. For example, Hedo Turk is 6-10 and launches like 8 threes a night, he rarely posts up or does anything physical. Rashard Lewis is 6-9 and plays like a smaller shooting forward.
The reason why I'm not giving the Lakers the series in 4 or 5 games is because Orlando does have a "Big 3" with Howard, Turk and Lewis. And they also have controlled guards who play defense.
Kobe will dominate Courtney Lee if they try to match them together. I have a feeling the Magic won't allow Lee to get exposed one-on-one, I'm sure that Stan Van Gundy will double Bryant and force other Laker players to make it happen.
Kobe doesn't win MVP though, I think it goes to Pau Gasol. If the Lakers need anyone to step up in order to win the series it's going to Gasol. Regardless, I hope its a series more than I hope my prediction is correct.
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