NBA Finals Game 1: Lakers 100 Magic 75

Despite the return of Jameer Nelson for the first time in four months, the Magic played their worst game of the playoffs and possibly their worst game of the season, as the Lakers were led by Kobe Bryant's 40 points in a 100-75 rout over the Magic. The Magic could only shoot 29.9% from the field, with Dwight Howard making just one field goal.

Things actually started off relatively well for the Magic, as the Magic led 24-22 at the end of one and 33-28 with 8:39 remaining in the second quarter. The Lakers came back to lead 53-43 at the half, as Nelson played the whole second quarter in his first game since February 4th.

The closest the Magic could get in the second half was 59-50 with 8:20 remaining, as the Lakers poured it on from that point. The Lakers led 82-58 going into the fourth quarter, and saw their lead swell by as much as 88-60 before cruising to the final.

Magic leading scorers

Mickael Pietrus: 14 points (5 of 13 field goals)
Hedo Turkoglu: 13 points (3 of 11 field goals), 4 rebounds
Dwight Howard: 12 points (1 of 6 field goals), 15 rebounds, 2 steals, 2 blocks

Lakers leading scorers

Kobe Bryant (16 of 34 field goals), 8 rebounds, 8 assists, 2 steals, 2 blocks
Pau Gasol: 16 points (7 of 12 field goals), 8 rebounds, 2 blocks
Lamar Odom: 11 points (5 of 11 field goals), 14 rebounds

Overall Game Statistics

FG%: LA 46.1% (41 of 89) ORL 29.9% (23 of 77)
3 PT FG%: ORL 34.8% (8 of 23) LA 33.3% (3 of 9)
FT%: LA 83.3% (15 of 18) ORL 72.4% (21 of 29)
REB: LA 55 (15 offensive) ORL 41 (10 offensive)
AST/TO: LA 18/9 ORL 10/8
BENCH: ORL 29 LA 23

Other game notes and stats:

-The Magic, after leading 33-28, were outscored 72-42 the rest of the way
-The Lakers outscored the Magic on two point baskets 76-30
-The Lakers' starters outscored the Magic starters 77-46
-The Magic starters combined to shoot 11 of 46 from the field
-The Magic made just 9 of 38 field goals in the second half
-The Lakers shot a combined 25 of 45 from the field in the second and third quarters
-Bryant attempted 34 field goal attempts, the other four Lakers' starters combined for 30 field goal attempts
-Bryant had just six less points than the entire Magic starting lineup
-The Magic starting frontline combined to shoot 6 of 27 from the field for 33 points
-Nelson played over 23 minutes and led the Magic with four assists; the rest of the Magic combined for six assists
-Only Marcin Gortat (2 of 4 FG) and J.J. Redick (1 of 2 FG) shot 50% for the Magic
-Marcin Gortat blocked four shots for the Magic in 20 minutes

The Magic will have two days off to recover from their 25 point loss; Game 2 is Sunday night.

Here is the complete game recap from nba.com

Here is the complete box score from nba.com