Lakers Dominate Game 1 Against the Magic
Eric Richardson
[Flickr]
An hour before NBA Finals Game 1, fans start to stream into Staples Center.
DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — The Lakers opened their NBA Finals series in impressive fashion on Thursday night, dominating the Orlando Magic en-route to a 100-75 win. Kobe Bryant led all scorers with 40 points. Game two will be at Staples Center on Sunday at 5pm.
Original story filed before the game:
With just a half hour to go before the Lakers kick off their NBA Finals series against the Orlando Magic, most fans will have long since staked out their viewing spot. Whether it be inside Staples Center or in any of the bars and restaurants that will be showing the game this evening, Downtown will have an even more distinctly purple and gold feel to it.
As is customary, the crown above U.S. Bank Tower will be lit purple and gold starting this evening, a color scheme it will keep through the Finals.
The Lakers play at home tonight and Sunday before the series switches to Orlando for games three through five. Should the series run past that, games six and seven will return to Staples Center.
The Peoples Program on June 04, 2009, at 08:37PM – #1
After seeing tonight you better find your seats soon because it looks like a quick series. Lakers in 4.
guest on June 04, 2009, at 09:46PM – #2
I still wish they show the game at the big screens at the Nokia Plaza. A friend and I waited nearly 3o minutes just to get in at the ESPN Zone just to sit on the concrete floor for the first half of the game. We decided we are not going to do that again on Sunday. We heard a lot of people got turned off too.
For a maximum of 4 games possible, I wish they could accomodate everyone who wish to watch the game on big screen at the plaza. And we noticed a lot of people inside the ESPN Zone were not eating or drinking anyways, they were just there to watch the game, so why not do it at the plaza.
D on June 04, 2009, at 10:44PM – #3
thats awesome that the ESPNZone was packed. was the whole area full? how about the other bars in the area? i wish i was down there, but to be honest, i like watching the game at home.
Vanzant on June 05, 2009, at 09:06AM – #4
We went to yard house, line out the door just to get in the bar. Then espn zone, same thing. Lucky strike worked out, only waited 5 minutes to get in and they were showing the game on the plazmas.
guest on June 05, 2009, at 09:24AM – #5
all the restaurants at LA Live had long lines....but the energy at ESPN Zone/Yard House is incomparable once the game starts.