Here are the top three reasons the Lakers are going to Orlando up 2-0, instead of 1-1.  And let’s not break out the brooms just yet, because that game last night was close.  Very close.  Also below are some links to LA Times and Orlando Sentinel stories…

LA Times Report and Video by Mike Bresnahan

1. Gasol On Howard– The word soft gets thrown around Pau more than any other big man in the NBA.  And with his performance in last year’s Final, it was deserved.  But this year is a whole new Gasol.  He’s pushing Howard off the block.  He’s boxing people out.  He’s finally using his quick hands to force some turnovers (that outlet to Fisher in OT) and most importantly he’s keeping Dwight Howard from dunking (first dunk of the series in the third quarter last night).  That was huge in Game 1 and last night, and it will be again in Orlando.

2. Lamar “Sweetness” Odom– After Bynum was sent to the bench with foul trouble, LO came in and was arguably the MVP of Game Two (averaging 15pts, 11reb in two games).  People weren’t talking about his injured back while chastising him during the Denver series, and he shut the haters up with 19 points on 8-for-9 shooting last night.  It’s easy to say (and see) that when LO is playing well the Lakers are by far the class of the league.

3. Courtney Lee Might Need To Lose That Mask– Or maybe he should take twice as many warm up lay ups before the game, because he had two huge misses last night that cost his team the game.  I usually think its stupid to say one guy on a team of twelve decided the outcome, but the Magic got Lee the ball right were he needed it, twice, and he choked, twice.