The win meant much more to the Orlando Magic than the loss did to the Los Angeles Lakers. Even though it was the third loss in a row for the Lakers and they are probably looking at the mirror and each other trying to figure out what’s wrong; the Lakers will be just fine. Once the playoffs get started and Kobe starts going to work this 3 game skid won’t mean a thing, but for the Magic to win the game was a big deal.

Not only did the the Magic win the game on the scoreboard, but they also won the mental game too. It was a physical game that included 4 technical fouls and 1 flagrant foul by Pau Gasol. The flagrant foul by Gasol was cheap to say the least. Gasol and Howard had been mixing it up in the paint quite a bit and Howard pulled on Gasol’s jersey and the foul wasn’t called, Gasol was late getting back on defense, which led to an open Howard in the paint. Howard went to jam it home and a frustrated Gasol didn’t try and play the ball he TRIED to do a hatchet job on Howard. Howard not only finished the play, but just flexed, gave Gasol a glare and went to the line. It was a hard foul and most other players would not have had the strength to finish the play or keep their composure after it, but Howard did both and brushed off Gasol like the little bitch he is.

Team/Player Photos: Boston Celtics v Orlando Magic on May 16, 2010

The play was a microcosm of the entire game. All the trash talk the Lakers brought, all the rough play they tried to impose and even Ron “Rodman” Artest’s crazy colored afro didn’t faze the Magic. Even when Kobe was unconscious at the end of the game and almost won for the Lakers, the Magic simply weathered all the storms and won the game.

Nothing would make me happier to than to see the Magic meet the Lakers again in the Finals, but this time the outcome would be different.