NBA Finals: Magic (0-1) vs. Lakers (1-0) Game 2 NBA Picks: The 2009 NBA Finals got off to a sizzling start, as the Los Angeles Lakers [-6½] sent the Orlando Magic [+6½] a message in Game 1 making people that bet their NBA picks on the favorite very happy. With everyone expecting the 2009 NBA Finals opener to be a close contest, the Lakers shifted to another gear in the second half and the Magic simply couldn’t keep up, getting blown out by 25 points.
Proving to still being best player in the world, Kobe Bryant is playing like a man possessed, as he recorded his first career, NBA Finals’ 40-point game. The Black Mamba, who usually waits until the 4th quarter to put the game away, decided to finish Game 1 early. 
“Just because you're focused on something doesn't mean you don't enjoy something,” Kobe said. “That's part of the fun is just figuring out how to focus and how to get ready. You can still do your job and have a good time.”
I don’t know what Phil Jackson said to his team in the locker room, but after halftime the Lakers were poised to put the Magic to sleep early.
In the third quarter, the 2008 MVP took over things, scoring 18 points and putting the Purple and Gold ahead for good. Bryant almost finished with a triple-double, dishing out 8 dimes and pulling down 8 boards to go along with his 40 big ones.
“I just love the game so much still,” Bryant said. “I just feel like there's still so much out there for me to improve on and work on. My body feels great. God willing, I stay healthy, I'll just keep going.”
With his mind focused on capturing that elusive 4th NBA title, KB24 is a man on a mission right now. His demeanor in game 1, especially in the 3rd quarter tells you all you need to know about Kobe. Or does it?
“That he's a nice guy,” Jackson said when asked what was the biggest misconception about Bryant. “He's a killer. He's a gun slinger, and he's a guy that's going to take the weak and have no mercy on them.”
By the way, if you’re waiting for Bryant to just go away in the near future; think again. Just ask the Zen Master, whose looking for an NBA best 10th NBA Championship and who’s expected to seriously consider retirement after the 2009 NBA Finals.
“Kobe is going to play it out for as long as he can,” Jackson said. “He's just a player that is going to find a way regardless. When his skill level deteriorates, he's going to find a level to play at that his athleticism is going to allow. I can see him playing to 36, 37.”
This of course, is not good news for the Orlando Magic, who are still looking for the franchise’s first NBA championship, as well as their first win in the Finals. The Magic are currently 0-5 after Game 1, and of course we all remember Shaq’s ‘95 team being swept in the NBA Finals by the Houston Rockets.
Furthermore, Orlando has to once again come from behind if it wants to make NBA Finals history and stop the Lakers from capturing their 15th NBA title, Kobe’s 4th, and Jackson’s 10th Larry O’Brien trophy.
“We've been through it,” Magic coach Stan Van Gundy said. “As the playoffs have gone on, I'm given them history lessons of just about anything that can happen in the playoffs, people being blown out at times. All of us were upset with our performances the other night; I wasn't happy with mine, I don't think they were happy with theirs. We're anxious to get back at it."
