NBA Final - Magic vs. Lakers - Game 1 | Liveblog live blogging

NBA Final - Magic vs. Lakers - Game 1

9:00 PM EST

Tune in Thursday at 9:00 PM EST as the Orlando Magic take on the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 1 of the NBA Finals. Tas Melas from The Basketball Jones and yours truly from RaptorBlog.com will be liveblogging for your enjoyment.
by Scott Carefoot at 6/4/2009 4:36:20 PM
Jameer Nelson is playing tonight. He hasn't touched the floor in the postseason, but the All-Star will backup Rafer tonight. I like the boldness of the move by SVG.
by Tas Melas at 6/5/2009 12:33:15 AM
Best backup in the league.
by Tas Melas at 6/5/2009 12:33:34 AM
I don't wanna shave my beard! Kobe will score 45 points give n take
by Tomkush
I'm on the Kobe bandwagon for this series, too. I think he'll do a great job of getting everyone going tonight.
by Tas Melas at 6/5/2009 12:42:50 AM
Tonights a mustwin for the lakers if they win tonight i say they take it in 6
by Z
Orlando is such a flow team, if LA can take the life out of them in games 1 and 2, call it a series, imo.
by Tas Melas at 6/5/2009 12:45:24 AM
holla! feels like forever since we got to watch a real game - and once again i'm going with the underdog.. or are they the underdog?? :)
by Nat
Exactly, Nat! I don't like this break for Orlando, they've learned how good they are.
by Tas Melas at 6/5/2009 12:53:43 AM
Go Nuggets!!
by Nugg
what do you think of the Jameer factor? i like the idea but not sure how its going to pan out since they have just found their groove
by Nat at 6/5/2009 12:54:56 AM
Nat: The latest report I read is that Jameer will not be appearing in the finals
by Scott Carefoot at 6/5/2009 12:55:18 AM
hrmm and i heard he is... according to Skeets on twitter
by Nat at 6/5/2009 12:55:46 AM
Hmmm... I guess I have some investigative work to do
by Scott Carefoot at 6/5/2009 12:56:06 AM
What are your series predictions everyone? I say Lakers in 5
by Scott Carefoot at 6/5/2009 12:56:24 AM
Jameer is back as the best backup in the league tonight.
by Tas Melas at 6/5/2009 12:56:41 AM
Lakers in 6, 'cause I don't have the balls to say 5.
by Tas Melas at 6/5/2009 12:56:53 AM
Lakers in 7 but i want the magic to win
by Nat at 6/5/2009 12:56:57 AM
SVG with the Finals haircut.
by Tas Melas at 6/5/2009 12:57:14 AM
Oh snap. Tas: are you confirming that Jameer is back? I'm clearly out of the loop here.
by Scott Carefoot at 6/5/2009 12:57:16 AM
link: Jameer is playing www.orlandosentinel.com
by Nat at 6/5/2009 12:57:28 AM
Wow. My bad. But that's also kind of awesome.
by Scott Carefoot at 6/5/2009 12:57:47 AM
He is back ... it became news a couple hours before tip when SVG declared it at the podium.
by Tas Melas at 6/5/2009 12:57:57 AM
that haircut is so clean i cant make the ron jeremy jokes
by Nat at 6/5/2009 12:57:57 AM
SVG said it would be easier not to play him, but they think he's ready.
by Tas Melas at 6/5/2009 12:58:25 AM
Orlando did a good job of hiding that. Good for them.
by Scott Carefoot at 6/5/2009 12:58:36 AM
A fantastic job if they knew all along.
by Tas Melas at 6/5/2009 12:58:54 AM
so much damn experience on this laker team
by Nat at 6/5/2009 12:59:28 AM
Odom in the huddle: 'Let's go, let's see how they react.'
by Tas Melas at 6/5/2009 1:00:02 AM
for this game, this seems like the perfect time to bust out a live performance of the best sports theme song in history... John Tesh's "Roundball Rock"
by Scott Carefoot at 6/5/2009 1:01:09 AM
by Scott Carefoot at 6/5/2009 1:01:11 AM
scott i was just thinking that.. it still feels wierd not to hear that music
by Nat at 6/5/2009 1:01:56 AM
Here but just finishing up something. I will bring it when I am done.
by Dino Blogger
That is a hell of a video intro though, bringing back all the oldies.
by Tas Melas at 6/5/2009 1:02:22 AM
that intro was pretty slick tho
by Nat at 6/5/2009 1:02:26 AM
Adam Morrison in street clothes, the Lakers are in trouble
by Romy Aquino
ADAM MORRISON... JJ REDICK... IT'S THE NBA FINALS ON THESCORE.COM!!!
by Scott Carefoot at 6/5/2009 1:03:45 AM
(apologies to Bill Simmons)
by Scott Carefoot at 6/5/2009 1:03:57 AM
Let the Kobe grovelling begin.
by Tas Melas at 6/5/2009 1:04:37 AM
Tip-off after a short commercial break.
by Tas Melas at 6/5/2009 1:05:01 AM
this is the last time i am havin' ppl over for a game - i am getting questions like is there a limit of how many times a player can go to the bench and come back in the game :(
by Nat at 6/5/2009 1:06:07 AM
Things to do in the offseason: 1. Find new friends.
by Tas Melas at 6/5/2009 1:06:50 AM
Oh man, Nat. I'm sure you've experienced the pain of a Super Bowl party with people who don't understand football but actually try to follow the game. It's atrocious.
by Scott Carefoot at 6/5/2009 1:07:15 AM
lol this one is a newb i convert ppl to basketball fans on the regular... and yea scott but i remember with football i was like that at one time :-o
by Nat at 6/5/2009 1:07:36 AM
Ready for tip.
by Tas Melas at 6/5/2009 1:08:09 AM