Magic Have Game 2 On Their Minds

By Josh Cohen
June 4, 2009

LOS ANGELES -- Everyone has a bad day sometimes.

But, thankfully, bad days can often transmute into good days.

The Orlando Magic lived through one of those unpleasant days on Thursday when they fell, 100-75, to the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 1 of the NBA Finals.

Not ideal, but the Magic understand that it’s just one game and that this series is far from over.

“I’m not concerned,’ said Dwight Howard, who registered 12 points and 15 rebounds. “We always come back stronger. I’m looking forward to Game 2.”

It will be important for the entire team to wake up Friday with renewed focus. Rather than dwelling on Kobe Bryant’s sensational performance or their abysmal shooting (29.9 percent from the field), the Magic must think positively about what they are capable of.

Let’s not forget, this is a team that has overcome many adversities throughout the 2009 playoffs. From clinching a first-round victory over the 76ers without Howard to not letting a buzzer-beating 3-pointer by LeBron James interfere with their quest to reach The Finals, the Magic never seem to lose concentration.

It may seem like a daunting thought after a one-sided defeat, but what happened in Game 1 could really just be like a passing rain shower on an otherwise beautiful sunny day. It’s possible that Orlando needed a quick wakeup call and this kind of loss will rejuvenate them the rest of the series.

"It's only one game," Howard said. "There's no need to switch up any game plans. We just didn't play with a lot of energy tonight."

The Magic will have two days before Game 2 to address their mistakes and try to regain their dynamism. You can be sure this team will have their heads up when they meet the Lakers again.

There are some encouraging things, nonetheless, to take away from Game 1. For one, Jameer Nelson returned to the court for the first time since injuring his shoulder in early February.

“I thought he played well in the second quarter,” Magic Head Coach Stan Van Gundy said of Nelson, who contributed six points and four assists in 23 minutes. “I thought he was getting in the paint on his pick-and-rolls.”

In addition, Mickael Pietrus continues to play well. ‘Air France’ led Orlando with 14 points and buried three of the team‘s eight 3-pointers.

Howard, meanwhile, shot effectively from the free throw line. He went 10-of-16 from the stripe.

Game 2 is set for Sunday night in L.A. at 8 p.m. ET on ABC. Be sure to interact with OrlandoMagic.com’s Dan Savage and many fans in the live in-game blog that can be found on the GameNight page.