Lakers v. Magic: The Final Countdown

Alas! After almost two months of grueling and exiciting NBA playoff games, two teams who have proved to be the league's best will face off on Thursday for Game 1 of the NBA championship series at Staples Center.

The Los Angeles Lakers of the West versus the Orlando Magic of the East. Kobe Bryant (a.k.a. the Black Mamba) versus Dwight Howard (a.k.a. Superman). Which team will emerge with the ultimate title, and which team will be last to "go fishing?" Who will lead his team to hold the championship trophy?

During the regular season, the Magic swept the Lakers in both games. And although the Lakers--with home court advantageous and a more experienced team--are favored to win the series, it's important not to underestimate the well-balanced and talented Magic lineup. I'm rooting for the Lakers to win (I'll bet Lakers in 6), but in order for them to do so, here are some critical elements to look out for throughout the heated series:

• The uber important Bynum-Howard and Gasol-Howard matchups inside the paint
• Magic's killer 3-point shooting from Rashard Lewis, Hedo Turkoglu, Mickael Pietrus, and Rafer Alston
• Lakers' exploitation of its height advantage with Andrew Bynum, Pau Gasol, and Lamar Odom

To win it, the Lakers will need consistent performance, physical team defense, and contribution from all players--not just Kobe.

Let the games begin!

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Game 1 (Best of 7, 2-3-2 format)

Orlando Magic @ Los Angeles Lakers

Thursday, June 4 - 9:00pm ET