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Overview
The 2009 NBA Finals began June 4, 2009, between the Orlando Magic and the Los Angeles Lakers. The Lakers had homecourt advantage for the series, by virtue of their better regular-season record. Orlando won both regular-season meetings with the Lakers in the 2008-09 season. The Lakers won the series 4-1, winning both games at home, then two out of three in Orlando.
The Lakers were making their 30th appearance in the NBA Finals, the most of any franchise. They won their 15th NBA Championship, second-most among NBA franchises, behind only the Boston Celtics.
The Magic were making their second appearance in the NBA Finals, having been swept by the Rockets in 1995. The Magic became the 9th team to lose their first two appearances in the NBA Finals.
Kobe Bryant won MVP honors for the series, the first time in any of his six Finals appearances that he was named Finals MVP.
The Lakers were making their 30th appearance in the NBA Finals, the most of any franchise. They won their 15th NBA Championship, second-most among NBA franchises, behind only the Boston Celtics.
The Magic were making their second appearance in the NBA Finals, having been swept by the Rockets in 1995. The Magic became the 9th team to lose their first two appearances in the NBA Finals.
Kobe Bryant won MVP honors for the series, the first time in any of his six Finals appearances that he was named Finals MVP.
Road to the Finals
| Team | Magic | Lakers |
| Regular Season | 59-22, 1st in Southeast Division | 65-17, 1st in Pacific Division |
| First Round | Def. (6) Philadelphia 76ers, 4-2 | Def. (8) Utah Jazz, 4-1 |
| Conference Semifinals | Def. (2) Boston Celtics, 4-3 | Def. (5) Houston Rockets, 4-3 |
| Conference Finals | Def. (1) Cleveland Cavaliers, 4-2 | Def. (2) Denver Nuggets, 4-2 |
Game 1 - Lakers 100, Magic 75
The Lakers snapped a two-game losing streak in Game 1s of the NBA Finals and took 1-0 lead in the 2009 NBA Finals. The 25-point margin of victory was the 6th-largest ever in Game 1 of an NBA Finals and the largest since the Bulls' 33-point Game 1 win over the Trail Blazers in 1992.
The Lakers came out shooting hot, making 7 of their first 11 shots. However, they went cold and the end of the first quarter, allowing the Magic to take a two-point lead at the end of the first quarter. Hedo Turkoglu had nine points in the first 12 minutes for Orlando, while Dwight Howard spent the last three minutes of the quarter on the bench with two fouls.
In the second quarter, the Lakers opened up a 10-point lead behind the hot shooting of Kobe Bryant. Bryant was just 3-of-9 in the first quarter, but finished the first half 9-of-18 for 18 points. He also had four rebounds and a game-high six assists.
Bryant continued his hot shooting in the third quarter, outscoring the Magic by himself, 18-15. Bryant scored 36 points in the first three quarters, matching his career high for an NBA Finals Game.
Bryant finished with 40 points to lead all scorers, the first time he scored 40 in the Finals and 10th time he scored 40 in the postseason. It was the 46th 40-point game in Finals history, the 26th by a Lakers player. He also had 8 rebounds and 8 assists, giving him the 4th 40-8-8 game in the Finals (Shaquille O'Neal, Michael Jordan and Jerry West have the others). Pau Gasol scored 16 points and Lamar Odom added 11 off the bench, as the Lakers outscored the Magic 56-22 in the paint.
The Magic became the third franchise to lose their first five Finals Games, joining the Wizards, who lost 9 straight, and the Nets (5 straight). The Magic shot 29.9% from the field, and Dwight Howard was just 1-of-6, the fewest field goals he's ever made in a playoff game. Orlando's 23 made field goals tied for the second-fewest in a game in NBA Finals history.
The Lakers came out shooting hot, making 7 of their first 11 shots. However, they went cold and the end of the first quarter, allowing the Magic to take a two-point lead at the end of the first quarter. Hedo Turkoglu had nine points in the first 12 minutes for Orlando, while Dwight Howard spent the last three minutes of the quarter on the bench with two fouls.
In the second quarter, the Lakers opened up a 10-point lead behind the hot shooting of Kobe Bryant. Bryant was just 3-of-9 in the first quarter, but finished the first half 9-of-18 for 18 points. He also had four rebounds and a game-high six assists.
Bryant continued his hot shooting in the third quarter, outscoring the Magic by himself, 18-15. Bryant scored 36 points in the first three quarters, matching his career high for an NBA Finals Game.
Bryant finished with 40 points to lead all scorers, the first time he scored 40 in the Finals and 10th time he scored 40 in the postseason. It was the 46th 40-point game in Finals history, the 26th by a Lakers player. He also had 8 rebounds and 8 assists, giving him the 4th 40-8-8 game in the Finals (Shaquille O'Neal, Michael Jordan and Jerry West have the others). Pau Gasol scored 16 points and Lamar Odom added 11 off the bench, as the Lakers outscored the Magic 56-22 in the paint.
The Magic became the third franchise to lose their first five Finals Games, joining the Wizards, who lost 9 straight, and the Nets (5 straight). The Magic shot 29.9% from the field, and Dwight Howard was just 1-of-6, the fewest field goals he's ever made in a playoff game. Orlando's 23 made field goals tied for the second-fewest in a game in NBA Finals history.
Game 2 - Lakers 101, Magic 96 (OT)
After two days off, Game 2 of the 2009 Finals got off to a slow start, with the two teams combining for just 30 points in the first quarter (15-15). That set a shot-clock era record for the fewest points combined in a first quarter in the NBA Finals. Neither team shot at least 30 percent from the field, marking the second consecutive quarter that happened (4th quarter, Game 1).
In the second quarter, the Lakers began hitting their shots, going 10-of-18 from the field to open up a five-point halftime lead. The margin would have been even greater if not for Rashard Lewis, who scored 18 of Orlando's 20 points in the second quarter.
Orlando got back into the game quickly in the third quarter, behind the hot shooting of Hedo Turkoglu. After scoring just three points on 1-of-7 shooting in the first half, Turkoglu scored 14 points on 5-of-6 shooting in the third quarter. Kobe Bryant kept the Lakers close, scoring 10 points in the quarter, but the Magic took a two-point lead into the fourth quarter.
The Magic held a 1-point lead with under four minutes left, when Turkoglu was called for an offensive foul on on a drive to the basket. On the ensuing Lakers possession, Mickael Pietrus, who had held Kobe Bryant in check, fouled out. Bryant made both free throws to put the Lakers up by one, 82-81. After Brynt made two more three throws, the Magic got back-to-back three-pointers from J.J. Redick and Rashard Lewis to take a 2-point lead, but Bryant responded with a lay-up to tie the game at 86-86.
Turkoglu put Orlando up 88-86 with 47.7 seconds left, but Pau Gasol hit a shot in the lane to tie the game again. Neither team scored on its final possession, forcing the game into overtime.
In the overtime session, the Magic scored just two field goals in the first 4:32, as the Lakers took a 99-93 lead. Rashard Lewis then made a three-pointer to pull Orlando within three, but Lamar Odom made two free throws to ice the game and givve the Lakers a 2-0 series lead.
Kobe Bryant led the Lakers with 29 points and Pau Gasol chipped in with 24 points and 10 rebounds. Gasol had seven of the Lakers 13 points in the overtime session. Rashard Lewis led the Magic with a game-high 34 points. It was the most scored by a Magic player in the six Finals games in team history. Lewis also became the second player in Magic postseason history to have at least 30 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists in a postseason game.
The Lakers improved to 7-8 all-time in overtime games in the Finals, while the Magic fell to 0-2. Orlando also became just the second team to lose its first six NBA Finals games.
In the second quarter, the Lakers began hitting their shots, going 10-of-18 from the field to open up a five-point halftime lead. The margin would have been even greater if not for Rashard Lewis, who scored 18 of Orlando's 20 points in the second quarter.
Orlando got back into the game quickly in the third quarter, behind the hot shooting of Hedo Turkoglu. After scoring just three points on 1-of-7 shooting in the first half, Turkoglu scored 14 points on 5-of-6 shooting in the third quarter. Kobe Bryant kept the Lakers close, scoring 10 points in the quarter, but the Magic took a two-point lead into the fourth quarter.
The Magic held a 1-point lead with under four minutes left, when Turkoglu was called for an offensive foul on on a drive to the basket. On the ensuing Lakers possession, Mickael Pietrus, who had held Kobe Bryant in check, fouled out. Bryant made both free throws to put the Lakers up by one, 82-81. After Brynt made two more three throws, the Magic got back-to-back three-pointers from J.J. Redick and Rashard Lewis to take a 2-point lead, but Bryant responded with a lay-up to tie the game at 86-86.
Turkoglu put Orlando up 88-86 with 47.7 seconds left, but Pau Gasol hit a shot in the lane to tie the game again. Neither team scored on its final possession, forcing the game into overtime.
In the overtime session, the Magic scored just two field goals in the first 4:32, as the Lakers took a 99-93 lead. Rashard Lewis then made a three-pointer to pull Orlando within three, but Lamar Odom made two free throws to ice the game and givve the Lakers a 2-0 series lead.
Kobe Bryant led the Lakers with 29 points and Pau Gasol chipped in with 24 points and 10 rebounds. Gasol had seven of the Lakers 13 points in the overtime session. Rashard Lewis led the Magic with a game-high 34 points. It was the most scored by a Magic player in the six Finals games in team history. Lewis also became the second player in Magic postseason history to have at least 30 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists in a postseason game.
The Lakers improved to 7-8 all-time in overtime games in the Finals, while the Magic fell to 0-2. Orlando also became just the second team to lose its first six NBA Finals games.
Game 3 - Magic 108, Lakers 104
With the series shifting to Orlando, both teams came out firing in Game 3. The Magic shot 68.8% from the field in the first quarter, but were actually trailing by four points, thanks to the strong play of Kobe Bryant. The Lakers guard had 17 points in the first 12 minutes on 7-of-8 shooting.
With Bryant on the bench to start the second quarter, the Magic continued to fire away at the basket. Orlando made their first six shots of the quarter and finished the second quarter shooting 13-of-16 from the field. The Magic shot 75 percent from the field in the first half, setting an NBA Finals record for a half and taking a five-point lead into the break.
In the third quarter, the Magic cooled off, going just 8-of-17 from the field, but the Lakers struggled too. Los Angeles shot 7-of-16, and Kobe Bryant made only one field goal, giving Orlando a six-point lead entering the final 12 minutes.
Bryant started the fourth quarter on the Bench, but the Lakers kept it close, with Lamar Odom scoring eight points. Los Angeles made its first eight shots of the quarter. Once Bryant came back in the game, the Lakers were able to cut into the lead, eventually tying the game on a pair of Pau Gasol free throws with 2:41 left. However, Mickael Pietrus scored a follow-slam on the ensuing possesion, and the Magic never trailed again. The Lakers had an opportunity to tie or take the lead with 30 seconds left, but Gasol turned it over. Pietrus made two free throws to ice the game. Down by four, the Lakers had multiple shots on the final possesion, but couldn't make any from 3-point range, eventually settling for a Kobe Bryant lay-up with 0.5 seconds left.
Orlando had five players score in double-figures, led by 21 points each from Dwight Howard and Rashard Lewis. The Magic also set a Finals single-game record, shooting 62.5% from the field, breaking the mark set by the Bulls against the Lakers in 1991. Howard also had 14 rebounds, giving him his 20th double-double of the postseason. Bryant finished with 31 points to lead five Lakers in double-figures.
The win was the first in the NBA Finals for the Magic, snapping a six-game losing streak. It was the 7th consecutive road loss in the Finals, matching the record set by the Fort Wayne Pistons in the 1950s.
With Bryant on the bench to start the second quarter, the Magic continued to fire away at the basket. Orlando made their first six shots of the quarter and finished the second quarter shooting 13-of-16 from the field. The Magic shot 75 percent from the field in the first half, setting an NBA Finals record for a half and taking a five-point lead into the break.
In the third quarter, the Magic cooled off, going just 8-of-17 from the field, but the Lakers struggled too. Los Angeles shot 7-of-16, and Kobe Bryant made only one field goal, giving Orlando a six-point lead entering the final 12 minutes.
Bryant started the fourth quarter on the Bench, but the Lakers kept it close, with Lamar Odom scoring eight points. Los Angeles made its first eight shots of the quarter. Once Bryant came back in the game, the Lakers were able to cut into the lead, eventually tying the game on a pair of Pau Gasol free throws with 2:41 left. However, Mickael Pietrus scored a follow-slam on the ensuing possesion, and the Magic never trailed again. The Lakers had an opportunity to tie or take the lead with 30 seconds left, but Gasol turned it over. Pietrus made two free throws to ice the game. Down by four, the Lakers had multiple shots on the final possesion, but couldn't make any from 3-point range, eventually settling for a Kobe Bryant lay-up with 0.5 seconds left.
Orlando had five players score in double-figures, led by 21 points each from Dwight Howard and Rashard Lewis. The Magic also set a Finals single-game record, shooting 62.5% from the field, breaking the mark set by the Bulls against the Lakers in 1991. Howard also had 14 rebounds, giving him his 20th double-double of the postseason. Bryant finished with 31 points to lead five Lakers in double-figures.
The win was the first in the NBA Finals for the Magic, snapping a six-game losing streak. It was the 7th consecutive road loss in the Finals, matching the record set by the Fort Wayne Pistons in the 1950s.
Game 4 - Lakers 99, Magic 91 (OT)
For the second time in the series, the two teams were tied after regulation, forcing an overtime period. It was the first time since 1984 that two games in the same Finals series went to overtime. And for the second consecutive year, the team trailing 2-1 in the series held a double-digit lead at halftime, before losing Game 4. This time, it was the Lakers on the winning side, defeating the Magic and taking a commanding 3-1 series lead.
At the start of the game, the Lakers won the opening tip for the first time in the series, on a jump-ball violation by Dwight Howard. However, the Magic controlled the game early, behind the strong defensive play of Dwight Howard. Orlando's center finished the first quarter with 11 rebounds and 3 blocked shots, giving the Magic a four-point lead, despite 13 points from Kobe Bryant.
Orlando extended its lead to 12 points at the half, outscoring the Lakers 25-17 in the second quarter. Los Angeles shot just 33.3% in the first half, making just one of its 10 attempts from 3-point range.
The game turned drastically in the third quarter, when the Lakers opened up on a 20-7 run to take the lead for the first time since the early minutes of the game. The Lakers ended up outscoring the Magic 30-14 in the third quarter, with Trevor Ariza leading the way with 13 points. Los Angeles led 67-63 heading into the final 12 minutes.
With the game tied at 82, Turkoglu scored five consecutive points to put the Magic up 87-82. The Magic led by three with 11.1 seconds left, when Howard stepped to the line and missed both free throws. Derek Fisher, who had been 0-5 on three-pointers, made a shot from the wing, tying the game with 4.6 seconds left. Mickael Pietrus missed a jumper at the buzzer that would have won the game, forcing overtime.
Rashard Lewis opened the scoring in overtime with a three from the side, but Kobe Bryant responded with back-to-back baskets to give the Lakers a one-point lead. It was nearly two and a half minutes before either team scored again, when Howard made one of two free throws to tie the game at 91. Fisher struck again, making a 3-pointer to put L.A. up by three with 31.3 seconds left. Pau Gasol scored the last five points of the game for the Lakers, giving them an eight-point win.
Kobe Bryant led all scores with 32 points, moving up to 7th on the NBA's single-season postseason scoring list. Bryant also had eight assists for the sixth straight postseason game. Pau Gasol and Trevor Ariza added 16 each for the Lakers, with all of Ariza's 16 coming after halftime. Hedo Turkoglu led the Magic with 25 points, but was shut out in overtime. Dwight Howard had 16 points, 21 rebounds and a Finals single-game record nine blocks, but shot just 6-of-14 from the free throw line.
At the start of the game, the Lakers won the opening tip for the first time in the series, on a jump-ball violation by Dwight Howard. However, the Magic controlled the game early, behind the strong defensive play of Dwight Howard. Orlando's center finished the first quarter with 11 rebounds and 3 blocked shots, giving the Magic a four-point lead, despite 13 points from Kobe Bryant.
Orlando extended its lead to 12 points at the half, outscoring the Lakers 25-17 in the second quarter. Los Angeles shot just 33.3% in the first half, making just one of its 10 attempts from 3-point range.
The game turned drastically in the third quarter, when the Lakers opened up on a 20-7 run to take the lead for the first time since the early minutes of the game. The Lakers ended up outscoring the Magic 30-14 in the third quarter, with Trevor Ariza leading the way with 13 points. Los Angeles led 67-63 heading into the final 12 minutes.
With the game tied at 82, Turkoglu scored five consecutive points to put the Magic up 87-82. The Magic led by three with 11.1 seconds left, when Howard stepped to the line and missed both free throws. Derek Fisher, who had been 0-5 on three-pointers, made a shot from the wing, tying the game with 4.6 seconds left. Mickael Pietrus missed a jumper at the buzzer that would have won the game, forcing overtime.
Rashard Lewis opened the scoring in overtime with a three from the side, but Kobe Bryant responded with back-to-back baskets to give the Lakers a one-point lead. It was nearly two and a half minutes before either team scored again, when Howard made one of two free throws to tie the game at 91. Fisher struck again, making a 3-pointer to put L.A. up by three with 31.3 seconds left. Pau Gasol scored the last five points of the game for the Lakers, giving them an eight-point win.
Kobe Bryant led all scores with 32 points, moving up to 7th on the NBA's single-season postseason scoring list. Bryant also had eight assists for the sixth straight postseason game. Pau Gasol and Trevor Ariza added 16 each for the Lakers, with all of Ariza's 16 coming after halftime. Hedo Turkoglu led the Magic with 25 points, but was shut out in overtime. Dwight Howard had 16 points, 21 rebounds and a Finals single-game record nine blocks, but shot just 6-of-14 from the free throw line.
Game 5 - Lakers 99, Magic 86
With their 15th title within reach, the Lakers stumbled out of the gate, but recovered quickly and ended up winning going away. The won their first title since 2002, and clinched a championship in their 7th different city. Meanwhile, the Magic became just the ninth team to lose each of their first two appearances in the NBA Finals.
The Magic made 7 of their first 10 shots to race out to a 15-6 lead, despite losing the opening tip for just the second time in the series. However, Orlando went cold, missing 10 of its final 15 shots to end the quarter, and going into the second quarter with just a two-point lead.
The Magic extended their lead to four points with 7:12 left in the first half, but the Lakers went on a 16-0 run to take their first lead of the game, and stretch that lead to double digits. Los Angeles took a 10-point lead into halftime.
The Lakers came out cold for the second half, making just one of their first five shots, allowing the Magic to cut the lead in half. However, Lamar Odom reponded with back-to-back three-pointers, stretching the lead back up to 11. Orlando went four minutes without a field goal, keeping the Lakers in front by double digits. The Magic ended up shooting just 5-of-19 in the third quarter, and the Lakers entered the fourth up by 15 points.
During the fourth quarter, the Magic struggled to cut into the lead early. They managed to get within 11 points, but there were only two minutes left in the quarter, and they never got any closer. The Lakers ended up winning by 13 points, clinching the 15th title in franchise history.
The Magic made 7 of their first 10 shots to race out to a 15-6 lead, despite losing the opening tip for just the second time in the series. However, Orlando went cold, missing 10 of its final 15 shots to end the quarter, and going into the second quarter with just a two-point lead.
The Magic extended their lead to four points with 7:12 left in the first half, but the Lakers went on a 16-0 run to take their first lead of the game, and stretch that lead to double digits. Los Angeles took a 10-point lead into halftime.
The Lakers came out cold for the second half, making just one of their first five shots, allowing the Magic to cut the lead in half. However, Lamar Odom reponded with back-to-back three-pointers, stretching the lead back up to 11. Orlando went four minutes without a field goal, keeping the Lakers in front by double digits. The Magic ended up shooting just 5-of-19 in the third quarter, and the Lakers entered the fourth up by 15 points.
During the fourth quarter, the Magic struggled to cut into the lead early. They managed to get within 11 points, but there were only two minutes left in the quarter, and they never got any closer. The Lakers ended up winning by 13 points, clinching the 15th title in franchise history.