As the NBA finals begin Thursday at Staples Center, Los Angeles, many experts, fans and even President Barack Obama predicted that the Los Angeles Lakers will defeat the Orlando Magic to win their first championship since 2002.

In view of various factors, 59 percent of the more than 365,000 participants in an unscientific poll on ESPN.com predicted a Laker victory.

Oddsmakers have set the Lakers as a six-to-6 1/2 point favorite and to win the best-of-seven series, despite losing both regular-season games to Orlando.

"The Lakers have a lot more talent than anybody in the NBA and are extremely well coached," ABC analyst Jeff Van Gundy said on a conference call earlier this week. "They have the best 1-2 punch in the league in (Kobe) Bryant and (Pau) Gasol, and yet I think it will be very hard-fought.

"I think Orlando is a resilient, tough-minded, well-prepared team that can pose some problems for teams, but I think the Lakers in the end have the better talent."

Fellow ABC analyst Mark Jackson agreed with Van Gundy about the Lakers being the favorite, but said if Orlando is successful in making 3-point shots, "they're basically a totally different team and capable of beating anybody."

The Magic made 62 3-point baskets as it upset the Cleveland Cavaliers four games to two in the Eastern Conference finals and have made an average of 8.6 per game throughout the playoffs.

Factors in the Lakers' favor include the home-court advantage, a better regular-season record and more experience in the finals. The Lakers are making their second consecutive finals appearance, while Orlando is making its first since 1995.

In response to a shouted question from a reporter for a prediction as he walked to the Marine One helicopter on the White House's South Lawn Tuesday, a smiling Obama said, "Lakers in six, I think."

Obama has a record of successfully predicting basketball champions, including North Carolina's victory in this year's NCAA men's basketball tournament.

"I agree with the president in terms of his feelings about the Lakers winning the series, (but I'm) not willing to predict how many games it will take," Lakers guard Derek Fisher told CBS2. "I've always felt like he was a smart man."

(Xinhua News Agency June 5, 2009)