Swept Away

Los Angeles, CA

A Friday night matchup at Staples was the wrong place to be for the Lakers. Los Angeles came up short, 109-103, to the Orlando Magic for the second time this season. This is the first time in Orlando's franchise history that they have swept the season series from the Lakers. I really continue to be frustrated as the Lakers lack any sort of defensive game and lose again. Rebound is also an issue the Lakers will have to deal with as they were out rebounded last night 54-40. Dwight Howard, the games best big man, led the way with 20 himself. Andrew Bynum looked like just another big man, only getting three boards for his team. Bynum did put up 14 points but only 2 in the second half. 

The Orlando Magic have seemed to fly under the radar a little bit up until this game. With the win the Magic now have a better record than the Lakers and are second in the Eastern Conference standings. With the games most dominant center in Howard, a highly talented guard like Jameer Nelson, and some shooters to help spread the floor, look for Orlando to do some damage in the playoffs. This team is young but has experience and most definitely enough talent to get the job done. At the beginning of the year all the talk surrounded the Lakers and Celtics. Now that we've watched some games it is clear there are still other teams that are competing to contend. The Magic lead a group of teams including Cleveland, Denver, Portland, and Phoenix that are all trying to push to that next level. If the Magic can keep pace and play their game they will be in a good spot come playoff time. Orlando also boast the leagues number 5 defense in large part to Howard. He leads the league in rebounding and blocks.

The Lakers now have a shot at some redemption, or worse, could lose more credibility this Monday. In the last day of our 43rd Presidents term, Los Angeles will host the King of the NBA, Lebron James and the Cavaliers. The 31-7 Cavs sit atop the Eastern Conference with 1 less loss than Orlando. Cleveland, the last NBA team to remain unbeaten at home (20-0) will be with out guard Delonte West. West suffered a broken wrist and will be out for six weeks. With the Lakers shoddy defense, any breaks will only help them.