The Lakers Roll – Kobe gets Number Four, Phil gets Number Ten

When it was all said and done, the L.A. Lakers proved why they were considered big favorites by BetOnline online sportsbook fans going into the NBA Finals.

In what was supposed to be one of the most interesting and competitive NBA Finals Series in a long time, the Lakers dominated from virtually Game 1, overpowering the Eastern Conference Champions, the Orlando Magic, and took home their 15th NBA Finals’ trophy.

For future hall-of-famer Kobe Bryant, it was his fourth championship ring. Considering that Bryant is playing in an age where a number of players no doubt will make it into the hall of fame, a 4th ring is astounding. Bryant’s legacy is assured. As is the man with 10 championship rings, Coach Phil Jackson. Jackson no doubt now enters the discussion as greatest coach of all time.

For gamblers, the NBA Finals proved to be a less competitive affair then originally thought. With L.A. winning the series in 5 games, gamblers won’t be able to make profits off of the final two games.

No worries. Football is right around the corner and baseball has been getting hotter and hotter by the week. Let’s take a look at some key moments during this series.

Key Moment #1: Courtney Lee Missing the Alley-Oop in Regulation

Obviously, if Lee had made the alley-oop in Game 2 of this series, and the Orlando Magic had won Game 2, then the tone of the series may have changed. But Lee didn’t make the shot and the Lakers dominated in OT to take a 2 to 0 series lead going back to Orlando. A 1-1 split in L.A. would have definitely helped the Magic.

Key Moment #2: Dwight Howard Missing Free Throws in Game 4

The Orlando Magic had Game 3 wrapped up. All Howard had to do was make one free throw for the Magic, sitting on a 3-point lead, to go up by 4 points with less than 12 seconds left. But Howard, who went 6 for 14 from the game at the free throw line, failed to hit either one. Derek Fisher dropped a three with 4 seconds left and the game went into overtime where Fisher promptly dropped another 3 and the Lakers outscored the Magic 12 to 4.

Key Moment #3: The Lakers in Period 3 During this Series

This isn’t really a key moment, but an overall observation. The Lakers dominated the third period in three out of the five games played in this series.

In Game 1, the Lakers outscored the Magic 29 to 15 in period three. In Game 4, the Lakers outscored the Magic 30 to 14 in period three and in Game 5 the Lakers outscored the Magic 20 to 15 in period three.

L.A. won the NBA Championship because they stepped it up in that key period three in three out of the five games. Some Magic errors and all of a sudden, the Lakers take home their 15th championship.

Congratulations to the Los Angeles Lakers!