The Los Angeles Lakers took a stranglehold on the series following a 99-91 ATS victory (NBA Odds listed the Lakers as +1.5 underdogs in that game) over the Orlando Magic on Thursday night.

Derek Fisher drained a three-pointer with 4.6 seconds remaining in regulation, then hit the go-ahead three with 31 seconds left in overtime.

The Lakers, who won their second overtime of the final, take a 3-1 series lead with Game 5 set for Orlando on Sunday night.

Dwight Howard did all he could do in Game 4 with 16 points, 21 rebounds, and a Finals-record nine blocked shots. The only blemish on an amazing night for Howard was that he missed eight free throws.

Only eight NBA teams have come back from a 3-1 hole in a best-of-seven series and it would be a shocker if the Magic made it nine.

Is it a sign of things to come? Bryant and the Lakers have been bouncing back since the start of the postseason. In the pursuit of a 15th NBA crown  they are 6-0 after a playoff loss. They can regain control of the best-of-seven series, but they'd better be careful not to give Orlando any more momentum.

As the Magic showed in Game 3, all you need is a hot night of shooting. During one stretch in the opening half, Orlando made a remarkable 21 of 24 shots.

Can the 2-point favored Magic do it again or will the real Kobe Bryant return and close out Game 4?

]]> http://beat.bodoglife.com/sports/the-nba-finals-game-4-odds-lakers-magic-55172.html/feed/ 0 http://beat.bodoglife.com/sports/nba-finals-game-3-odds-lakers-at-magic-76034.html http://beat.bodoglife.com/sports/nba-finals-game-3-odds-lakers-at-magic-76034.html#comments Tue, 09 Jun 2009 15:05:40 +0000 Elizabeth Fairview http://beat.bodoglife.com/?p=26298 Orlando has been able to come back from seemingly every heartbreak this season. They have fought off injuries, four last-second losses in the playoffs, and series deficits in two rounds. But this could be too tough a challenge. Only three teams have won a title after losing the first two games in the Finals, most recently Miami over Dallas in 2006.

The Magic, who are listed as 4-point favorites tonight, would need quite a turnaround. Their backcourt has been dreadful to the point of Hedo Turkoglu left to run the point.

The underdog is 7-1 ATS in the last eight meetings and the final score has hit the over in the last five meetings in Orlando.

The only good news for Magic fans, if you can call it that, is the team covered as 6.5-point underdogs.
Pau Gasol scored seven of his 24 points in overtime and Kobe Bryant finished with 29 for the Lakers, who became the fifth straight team to win the first two games of the series at home.

Since the NBA went to the 2-3-2 format in 1985, 11 of 12 teams winning the first two games have gone on to win the championship. Game 3 is on Tuesday night at Amway Arena.

It was the 10th time he has scored 40 or more in the playoffs.

Game 2 is Sunday night at Staples Center where celebrities had front-row seats to see another amazing performance by Bryant, who scored 18 points in the third quarter as the Lakers opened a 26-point lead and embarrassed the Magic.

The Magic, who went 2-0 against the Lakers in the regular season, appeared a touch overwhelmed in their first Finals appearance since 1995. Get your NBA betting with Bodog now.

The Lakers enter this one listed as 6-point favorites.

That makes sense if you look at history. The Lakers have won 14 titles, while Orlando has 0.

The Lakers have won 61 finals games, with Orlando yet again sitting with 0.

Phil Jackson has nine championship rings, while Stan Van Gundy has 1 as an assistant.

But when placing your bets, keep in mind that the Magic won both regular-season matchups against the Lakers and are capable of an upset.

That seems even more tempting when you consider the underdog is 6-0 ATS in the last six meetings between these teams. Get all your NBA finals odds in the Bodog Sportsbook.

The Magic will once again try and close out the series in Game 6 on Saturday night.

Orlando overcame a 22-point deficit on Thursday but missed their first opportunity to finish off the Cavaliers, who are trying to become just the ninth team since 1947 to rally and win a series after being down 3-1. Orlando has two more tries to reach the NBA Finals for the first time since 1995.

The Cavs of course feel confident that if they can force Game 7 they will be in the driver's seat. Last night's win improved their home record to 44-3 this season. Get your NBA conference finals odds with Bodog now.

Orlando heads into Game 5 with no fear of the road. They finished off the Boston Celtics on the road in a Game 7 in the previous round and have a chance to end Cleveland's dream season at the court of King James.

The odds are stacked against the 7.5-point favored Cavaliers.

In the NBA's 62-year postseason history, 190 teams have taken a 3-1 lead in a series and 182 of them have won. More daunting for the Cavaliers is that the Magic have won 10 of the past 14 meetings between the teams. Get your NBA conference finals odds with Bodog now.

They can't stop Dwight Howard inside. They can't contain Orlando's outside shooters. They're not giving LeBron James enough support. And they trail 2-1 in the Eastern Conference Finals.

Orlando is relishing the underdog role in its first conference finals appearance since 1995. They won 99-89 on Sunday night in Game 3, which included a flagrant foul on Anthony Johnson for his elbow to Mo Williams' face in the second quarter. James has been doing his part.

The league's MVP is averaging 41.7 points in the series. But there have been extended periods when it's LeBron and only LeBron vs. the Magic. Can the 1.5-point underdog Cavs tie up the series? Get your NBA conference finals odds in the Bodog Sportsbook now.

The 9-point favored Cavs will be desperate for a win heading into Game 2 tonight. Despite the win, the Magic, who upset the defending champion Boston Celtics in the conference semis, feel as if they're not being given a chance to win this series and advance to the finals for the first time since 1995.

Orlando shot 59 percent after halftime, went 7-of-13 on 3s, and outscored the Cavs 59-43.

Now 9-3 in their last 12 games against Cleveland, the Magic survived an amazing performance by LeBron James to hand the Cavs their first loss in nine postseason games. Can the Cavs get back on track tonight?