Game 1: Perfect Start

The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Orlando Magic 100-75, taking Game 1 of the 2009 NBA Finals. The Lakers were sluggish early, trailing by 5 in the second quarter, but they started an offensive tear to go into the halftime leading by 10. It was all LA after that, as the Purple and Gold out-scored Orlando 47-32 in the second-half. The Magic could not escape the Lakers' stifling defense, shooting just .299 from the field and losing on the boards 55-41. Kobe Bryant led the way as he scored 40 points to go with 8 rebounds and 8 assists, his most dominating performance in his Finals career. Pau Gasol added 16 points, and Lamar Odom put up 11 and 14 rebounds as the wealth was spread throughout the Laker lineup. The Magic starting-five were dormant for the entire game, shooting a combined 11-for-46. Mickael Pietrus led Orlando with 14 points, Hedo Turkoglu added 13, and Dwight Howard had 12 and 15 rebounds.