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Lakers vs. Magic NBA Finals Game 3 betting odds open with Orlando as the -4 favorite.
Experts suggest that Orlando has been placed in "desperation" mode as they head back home where the edge is definitely seen in their favor.
Game 2 of the 2009 NBA Finals marked the 6th time in seven games between these two teams where the Orlando Magic covered against Los Angeles. Orlando, though losing outright, managed to cover the -6 ½ line with a final score of 96-101.
The Lakers grabbed a 2-0 series lead and their fourth straight playoff win overall after the two teams battled it out in overtime.
Kobe Bryant led the Lakers with 29 points, a few points below the Over/Under 31 ½ points as part of a Kobe Bryant betting prop that paid out $11 for every $10 bet. Pau Gasol added 24 points and 10 rebounds for his 10th double-double in his last 11 games.
"We just drove ourselves through the game," said Lakers coach Phil Jackson. "I didn't think Kobe had a good game at all as far as his standards go. "They double teamed him, they trapped him, they came on all his drives, and we didn't adjust to it."
Rashard Lewis led the Magic with a playoff career-high 34 points (including 18 of the Magic's 20 second quarter points) to go with 10 rebounds and a playoff career-high seven assists. His point total marked the most ever by a Magic player in an NBA Finals game.
Dwight Howard became just the second player in NBA playoff history to amass at least 15 points, 15 rebounds, four assists, four steals and three blocks in a playoff game. The other was Hakeem (Akeem at the time) Olajuwon in 1986.
Game 3 is Tuesday night at Orlando's Amway Arena, which will be hosting a finals game for the first time since June 9, 1995.
The Magic will head home thinking about what might have been. They could be tied 1-1, and with the next three games scheduled in front of their frenzied fans, they could have denied Bryant and the Lakers their first title since 2002.
Orlando were hurt by 20 turnovers, 12 more than they had in Thursday's loss. "I thought our guys fought hard, but we couldn't make enough plays," said Magic coach Stan Van Gundy. "And the 20 turnovers crushed us in the end."
Lakers vs. Magic NBA Finals Game 3 betting odds could fluctuate between Orlando -3 ½ and -4, some betting analysts suggest. The line remained at a steady -4, however, heading into Monday afternoon. Gamb time is Tuesday evening.
Betting on the Lakers vs. Magic NBA Finals Game 3 was already available at Sports Interaction, Canada's first online sportsbook.
Tyrone Darnell Black, Gambling911.com
