Game 2 - Almost

88-88. Everyone knows the ball is going to Kobe Bryant. He's going to either shoot or make a play that will give the Lakers a 2-0 series lead. He drives to the left. J.J. Redick runs off his man in circles. Kobe blows by Hedo Turkoglu. Dwight Howard steps up. Howard, one of the best shot-blockers in the NBA, is the only thing in the way Kobe's glory. The shot goes up and takes an awkward trajectory, flying straight up. Turkoglu has come from behind and saved the game. In the process, he catches the ball and calls timeout.

Turkoglu now has the ball on the sideline. Everyone anticipates either a Rashard Lewis three or a lob to Dwight Howard. Instead a pick is set for rookie Courtney Lee. The Lakers defense is confused. Turkoglu throws an on-point floater to the cutting Lee, who catches the ball while jumping in the air, and tosses it to the hoop over the rotating Pau Gasol. It touches the backboard and callously rolls off the rim. 88-88.

The Lakers took a rather uneventful overtime to keep the home court advantage. The first quarter set the Finals record for fewest points combined. Rashard Lewis scored 18 of his 20 first half points in the second quarter. He had more than half of the Magic's first half points in the second quarter alone! Lewis finished with 34. The Lakers held a slight 5-point halftime lead.

The third quarter witnessed spurts by Turkoglu, who ended with 22, and Bryant, who had 29. Bryant scored only 6 points in the first half realizing he needed to be a facilitator. There is no better player at realizing what his team needs from him at any given moment. He finished with 8 assists for the second straight game.

Lamar Odom stepped up in the 4th. He wound up with 19 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 blocks. Gasol (24 pts 10 rebs) and Howard (17 pts 16 rebs 4 blks) also put up notable numbers. While Howard's statistics are impressive and he clearly played better in this game, he does not usually leave his imprint on a game. At one point in the second quarter, Orlando was scrambling back in transition defense. 4 Magic players stuck to their man. Howard patrolled the middle, as lonely as a hermit, while Trevor Ariza nailed an open three-pointer. For all Howard's talent, the Magic will need to rely on Turkoglu, Lewis, and another teammate to leave those prints if they hope to get back in the series.