What They're Saying: Lakers vs. Magic Game Three

-Gregg Doyel of CBS Sportsline is not rushing to any conclusions after the Lakers took the first two games. There is still a long way to go and Orlando still has some home games to play.

-Dwight Howard is good. But not as good as he will be one day, writes Matt Steinmetz of NBA FanHouse.

-Pau Gasol and the Lakers are proving that finesse players and soft players are not interchangeable terms.

-Sean Devenney of Baseline blog believes Orlando's point guard switch has failed. Really, Rafer Alston and Jameer Nelson are not making shots. Alston is a streaky shooter who is very cold right now. And Nelson is playing his first games since February. No reason to believe Anthony Johnson would be playing any better.

-The city of Orlando is getting ready for the party that is the NBA Finals. From tonight until Sunday (hopefully), downtown Orlando will be full of people, tourists, NBA officials, celebrities and generally good times. Helps if the Magic win.

-The party atmosphere in Amway Arena tonight is more like desperation for the Magic. Stan Van Gundy is willing to try anything to avoid a 3-0 hold, Brian Schmitz of The Orlando Sentinel reports.

-Henry Abbott of TrueHoop explains Stan Van Gundy is suffering the problem of too much talent. And that it was not crazy for him to insert Nelson into the lineup. The only problem has been the inconsistent playing time for all three point guards. He is experimenting and needs to find the answer soon.

-Mike Bianchi of The Orlando Sentinel argues Courtney Lee's missed alley-oop in Game Two was NOT A CHOKE. I have to agree. I was yelling at him to use his left hand, but with that little time there is no way he could have made that switch especially going out of bounds. If he couldn't do that, I am yelling at him to dunk the ball. Again, little time. He went on instinct and got the best shot he could. Great play call from Stan Van Gundy. Too bad no one will give him and Lee credit for the perfect execution.

-George Diaz of The Orlando Sentinel wonders where Orlando's offense has been?

-Kevin Ding of the Orange County Register says owner Jerry Buss did not make the trip to Orlando. But with a 2-0 lead, the Lakers know how much it would mean for the individuals on the team to continue their road success and take home the trophy at the Amway Arena.

-Andrea Adelson sits down with the Larry O'Brien Trophy for an - ahem - "interview." I thought Bianchi was the one who did the hokey columns for the Sentinel.

-Bruce Arthur of the National Press still thinks Orlando can win the series. But one thing the team must do better is simply make shots. Adjustments do not get easier than that.

-It is Kobe Bryant's supporting cast, Kyle Hightower of The Orlando Sentinel writes, that has the Lakers up 2-0.

-Zach McCann of Orlando Magic Daily looks at the value of Mickael Pietrus. He has done a pretty good job bothering Kobe Bryant and, despite shooting poorly in the first two games of this series, has blossomed into a consistent threat both inside and out.

-Ben Q Rock of 3rd Quarter Collapse analyzes the pairing of Dwight Howard and Marcin Gortat when on the floor together.

-Kelly Dwyer of Ball Don't Lie explains Orlando returned to their roots on defense in Game Two. Can they keep it going in Game Three. Both teams have had their Jekyll and Hyde moments so it is quite uncertain.