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This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.

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Lakers Defeat Magic, Lead NBA Finals 2-0

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After Game 1, I said that the Magic's outside shooters would not miss all of those shots again. Well the Lakers survived the Magic's improved shooting in Game 2 101-96 in overtime.

After being non-factors in Game 1 Rashard Lewis and Hedu Turkoglu showed up in Game 2 knocking down 34 points and 17 points respectively. Lewis knocked down six three-pointers in the Magic's effort to steal one game on LA's home court. The effort would come up short.

Notably Courtney Lee's missed lay up as time expired in regulation would go down as an opportunity to give the Magic their first ever NBA Finals win wasted.

For the Lakers Pau Gasol came up big in overtime. He scored seven of his 24 points and was a force on defense. Yes Ga-soft has turned hard people. The Lakers kept Dwight Howard under check allowing him to hit on only five field goals totaling 17 points.

While this was not a clean game for either team the Lakers proved they could win an ugly game. Hell the game was tied 15-15 after the first quarter.

The series now moves to Orlando where Game 3 will be played on Tuesday.

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