NBA / Andy Morris / 09 June 2009 / Leave a comment Bet Now

The odds are stacked against Orlando Magic in the NBA Finals as they head to Game Three, writes Andy Morris.

Orlando has pulled it off before during this season - defeating the defending champions the Celtics and the Eastern Conference favourites Cleveland during the playoffs.

But this time their task is even bigger, as they attempt to come from 2-0 down in the series.

Game One was all about Kobe Bryant, as many expected it would be. He produced a 40-point performance and that was the game.

Game Two became a battle between Rashard Lewis, Hedo Turkoglu and Lamar Odom. Turkoglu shot 22 points and Lewis drained five of 11 three-pointers for 31 points as the Magic came so close to winning in regulation time. Rookie guard Courtney Lee missed two chances to avoid overtime, but when the Lakers went on a 7-0 run in the middle of overtime they grabbed the initiative.

But this game is now crucial. No team in NBA history has come from 3-0 down to win a playoff series.

In fact, only three teams in 30 tries have come back from a 2-0 deficit to win the Finals, the most recent being the Heat in 2006.

Lakers coach Phil Jackson believes Game Three will be much more free-flowing and up-tempo, and the vast majority of the Amway Arena crowd will be praying that the Magic can lift themselves.

They went 32-9 at home in the regular season and have been 7-2 there in the playoffs, so it's in the realms of possibility that they can win the next three games and take charge of the series.

However, they have to find a way to stop Kobe and that will not be easy. He ran the show in Game One and on his night is a game-winner. Also, bear in mind that the Lakers are not a one-man team - Bryant had an off-night in Game Two, where he was double-teamed, scoring just 29 points. Yet they still won.

Pau Gasol and Odom combined to shoot 15 of 23 from the field for the Lakers in Game Two, registering 24 and 19 points. They forced Orlando into 20 turnovers, while four of their players hit double figures.

Magic guard J.J. Reddick admitted: "Let's be honest, the Lakers are going to be better, they're going to make improvements, they're going to make adjustments, so we've got to be even better just to be in the game."

I still feel this series will belong to the Lakers, but certainly not in four straight. I fancy the Magic to bounce back well and win Game Three, to give them the impetus to believe they can sweep this homestand. I'm taking the Magic in match odds betting.