Game 1 blowout
Kobe Bryant and the Lakers had home court advantage against the OrlandoMagic in the Finals, and they made it clear that it would not be a repeat of 2008. The Lakers defeated the Magic 100-75, the 25 point deficit was the sixth largest for a Game 1 victory.
Leading the way was Bryant, who scored 40 points a career high for a Finals game, he added eight rebounds and assists. Center Pau Gasol provided strong defense forcing Magic center Dwight Howard into a bad shooting night as he went just 1-6 from the field.
The Lakers played strong defense overall forcing the Magic to shoot 29 percent from the field and 34 percent from three-point land.