Lakers-Magic: Comprehensive Rout Sets Tone in Game One

The Los Angeles Lakers came into Staples Center on Thursday night of the 2009 National Basketball Association Finals against Orlando Magic with a huge chip on their shoulders.

Swept in the regular season, they were intent on making the first step toward proving that the defeats they suffered at the hands of Stan Van Gundy's team were behind them in a 100-75 laugher.

In truth, it could have been worse for Orlando if Phil Jackson's club's consistent shooting lasted the entire match. After all, they only shot 46.1 percent as a team.

But the damage was already made. It was self-inflicted. And it was severe.

The Magic were Magic-less, shooting only 29.9 percent. Rashard Lewis scored only eight points, Rafer Alston six, and Courtney Lee seven.

Dwight Ho...

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