Bizarro Game 3 – LAL vs ORL

Close your eyes for a second. I’m going to describe the stats of a team, and you tell me which team would win.

Your team shoots 62.5% from the field (an NBA Finals record). You have 7 more assists than your opponent. You fouled less than your opponent. If you subtract your three point field goals, you have 75 FG% from the field. Do you win?

Most likely you will say yes.

Next question, how much did you win by?

Most likely a double digit win.

Now open your eyes. Your team won by just four.

I am still confident the Lakers will take the championship this year. Orlando had all of the above mentioned going for them and ‘escaped’ with a win. Dwight Howard had his hand in the right place to fumble the ball of Bryant’s attempt to split the double team. Gasol recovers the ball and then chooses not to call a timeout but try to dump the ball back to Bryant while on his back. Kobe Bryant shot 5-10 from the free throw line. Add all of these unlikely scenarios and I think as a Laker fan you have to look to Game 4 with excitement.

The Lakers kept up well with the Magic because of their offense. On the defensive end, you can’t give anyone credit for letting your opponent torch you for 62.5%.

Fact. Lakers were still in this near the end of the game.

Fact. Lakers lost on a collection of unlikely scenarios.

Fact. Lakers will still be in it during Games 4 and 5.

Fact. Lakers will win this series in 5.

Fact. Expect articles discussing the ‘what if’ scenario of Courtney Lee making the Game 2 Layup and claiming this series could easily be 2-1 Orlando. Expect comments from fans saying MJ would have won this game. Expect Bill Simmons to write a retarded pro East Coast and anti-Laker article. Expect a J.A. Adande article to make you feel better after reading Simmon’s garbage.