"To understand just how divisive the Orlando Magic's NBA Finals point guard controversy became, know this: A smattering of boos greeted usual fan-favorite Jameer Nelson when he entered Game 5 with 1:40 remaining in the first quarter.

And now that the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Magic 99-86 Sunday and captured the championship by winning four of five Finals games, whether Nelson should've played against the Lakers at all after missing four months due to injury likely will remain a point of contention.

But on Sunday night alone, it was tough to blame the Magic's loss on Nelson. Starter Rafer Alston — not Nelson — was in the game for Los Angeles' entire 16-0 second-quarter run, which saw the Lakers turn a 40-36 deficit into a 52-40 lead.

"We lost a little bit of our mental toughness, our mental edge at that point," Alston said in the quiet Magic locker room.

Alston finished with 12 points, three assists and three turnovers in 33 minutes. He made just 5 of 15 shots from the field.

Nelson had five points, four assists and one turnover in 13 minutes. He made 2 of 7 shots.

After he was benched for the entire fourth quarter in Game 4, Alston played aggressively in Game 5. In Sunday's opening quarter, he scored six points, had an assist and two rebounds.

But the pace didn't continue for him — or for the Magic. After the Magic's dismal second quarter, Alston gave the team some hope by making a 3-pointer from the right corner in with 7:45 left in the third to cut L.A.'s lead to 58-53."