Five Keys for the Magic to Win Game 2

If you watched Game 1 of the NBA Finals, you probably aren’t too excited about Game 2. The Los Angeles Lakers thoroughly dominated Game 1 and ended up cruising to a 100-75 victory. Kobe Bryant and his henchmen looked unstoppable while the Orlando Magic looked like they had raging case of stage fright.

Dwight Howard and the Magic started off with a thud (Image: Zuma Press)

Even though the Magic disappeared in Game 1, all they need to do to get back into this series is to take home a Game 2 victory. How do they do that? Here are five keys for the Magic to win Game 2:

1. Get Dwight Howard Going
Dwight Howard had all of one field goal made in Game 1. That simple won’t get it done. The Magic have to force the ball into him and allow him to use his strength and quickness advantage. Howard’s dunks are the key to open up the offense for everyone else.

2. Force Kobe Bryant to Pass
During the Game 1 route, Kobe Bryant had the ball way too much. Allowing him to rack up 40 points, eight assists and one turnover means that the Magic didn’t force him into tough situations nearly enough. The Lakers are extremely talented but forcing Kobe to trust his teammates is the way to beat them.

3. Pick a Point Guard
Jameer Nelson is back for the Magic. Rafer Alston played very well in the Eastern Conference side of the bracket. Now Stan Van Gundy needs to pick which point guard to grab the reins the wagon. The worst thing the coach could do is to make it so neither one finds a rhythm.

4. Rebound Better
The Lakers humiliated the Magic on the boards in Game 1. The Magic, even though they are bit undersized, have to do a much better job of competing on the glass. Orlando can’t fall into the trap of expecting Howard to grab every board.

5. Let it Fly
This isn’t the time for the Magic to get scared. They are a jump shooting team that lives off of three-pointers. If they don’t play carefree type of basketball, they can’t win. Relax. Have fun. Let it fly.