Basketball / Nick Shiambouros / 08 June 2009 / Leave a comment

Nick Shiambouros reports on a frenetic finish to game three of the 2009 NBA Championship Finals and explains why he's backing the Magic to reassert themselves on Tuesday night...

The Orlando Magic suffered a heartbreaking defeat on Sunday 101-96 in overtime at the hands of the Los Angeles Lakers.

The Magic had a chance to win the game in regulation but rookie Courtney Lee failed to convert a lob pass with less than a second left. Under normal circumstances he would have made the easy bucket but the pressure got to this young guard and the ball hit the rim to send the game in to overtime.

The Magic played with a lot more resilience in this game and in truth should have won. Dwight Howard and a rusty Jameer Nelson missed critical free throws in the final quarter and they paid the price. I think Stan Van Gundy must take some responsibility for this loss by playing Nelson at all when he has not played for four months. Rafer Alston has done an excellent job as a replacement for the injured guard and should have played a lot more minutes.

The Magic host the Lakers in game three on Tuesday evening in Orlando trailing the series 2-0.This is clearly a do or die situation for Orlando but I will be backing them for the win with the handicap.

The Lakers and Kobe Bryant have not been shooting the ball well in this series and Orlando will not roll over as some people expect. I hope coach Stan Van Gundy returns to his original rotation for this must win game. I believe a victory by Orlando could change the whole complexion of the series but it will not be easy.

Recommended wagers:
Tuesday back Orlando with a -3.5 handicap