NBA Finals Game 1 Schedule: Los Angeles Lakers Host Orlando Magic in Game 1

The NBA Finals gets under way on Thursday night with the Los Angeles Lakers hosting the Orlando Magic in Game 1 of the best-of-seven series.

Los Angeles has put together an 8-2 record on their home court during their playoff run and will certainly be looking to grab the early advantage on Thursday. While they have relied heavily on Kobe Bryant to get them into the Finals success against the Magic will have to come on the defensive end as they face a perimeter squad that has knocked off last year’s NBA champion Boston Celtics and the NBA’s best team this year, the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Kobe has been the Lakers high-scorer in 15 of their 18 playoff games this year and while he has had some offensive help from Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom that help has been inconsistent. LA will need to find another threat on the perimeter and many are hoping that will be Trevor Ariza who has been a legitimate three-point threat for the Lakers.

Heading into the Finals the Magic have reason to be confident as they knocked off the Lakers twice in the regular season and did so despite big games from Kobe Bryant. The Magic have displayed a scoring balance throughout their run to the Finals with five different players leading the team in scoring since the playoffs began. Orlando will almost certainly look to establish Dwight Howard down low and if the big man can force a double team that should open up Hedo Turkoglu, Rashard Lewis, Courtney Lee and Rafer Alston for open looks beyond the three-point line.

While the Lakers have relied on Kobe on the offensive end thus far they may look more to Gasol in their series with the Magic as he presents a serious match-up problem for Orlando with his ability to hit from the perimeter. Any time LA is able to get Howard out of the paint they will look to drive and with Howard already showing a tendency to get into foul trouble they may look to attack the basket early.

Tip-off is set for 9:00 p.m. ET.

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