Magic tighten series with 108-104 win over Lakers

By TOM WITHERS, AP Sports Writer Jun 10, 4:28 am EDT

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ORLANDO, Fla. (AP)—Rashard Lewis(notes) stood at the free-throw line with less than one second left as several workers hurriedly broomed off confetti that had fallen prematurely onto the Amway Arena floor.

This was the sweep Orlando had waited to see for 14 years.

On their seventh try, the Magic, swept in four straight games by Houston on their previous visit in 1995, got their first win in the NBA finals.

Shooting a finals record 63 percent from the field and clamping down on Kobe Bryant(notes), the Magic closes within 2-1 in the best-of-seven series with a 108-104 win over the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 3 on Tuesday night.

After two straight cold performances in L.A., the Magic were more accurate than any team in NBA finals history.

“They pretty much made all their shots,” Lakers forward Trevor Ariza(notes) said.

Pretty much.

The Magic shot a blistering 75 percent (24 of 32) in the first half and cooled off in the second half when they were only 16 of 32.

The basket looked big, and Orlando hardly missed it. With a loss, the Magic would have fallen into an 0-3 crevasse—a hole no team has ever crawled from. Now, they have a chance to become the fourth team in finals history to come back from an 0-2 deficit and win it all.

“Why not?” Magic forward Hedo Turkoglu(notes) said. “We believe in each other and as long as we’re playing our game, our system and fighting for 48 minutes— why not?”

In the series opener, the Magic couldn’t throw it in the Pacific Ocean. They made only 29.9 percent and were blown out by 25 points. In Game 2, they were only slightly better, shooting 42 percent in an overtime loss. But back on their home court, they shot themselves back into this series.

As Shaquille O’Neal(notes), still a presence long after leaving both franchises, posted on his Twitter page following the game: “By george I think we have a series.”

Game 4 is Thursday night, and Game 5—now necessary—will be at Amway Arena on Sunday.

Bryant, seeking a fourth title and his first since 2002, scored 31 points for the Lakers but the superstar, widely considered the game’s best closer, was awful in the final minutes. He scored just 10 points in the second half, went only 4 of 15 from the field after the first quarter and looked tired in the fourth.

He also missed five free throws, points that could have given the Lakers that 3-0 lead.

“It was a bad night,” he said.

With their season 48 minutes from all but disappearing, the Magic had five players score at least 18 points. Lewis and Dwight Howard(notes) had 21 apiece, Rafer Alston(notes), who was just 3 of 17 from the field in the first two games, had 20 and Turkoglu and Mickael Pietrus(notes) 18 each.

“We lost two games, but there’s no need to roll over,” Howard said. “It’s a seven-game series. A team has to beat you four times to end the series and we felt good knowing that we had three games at home.”

Pau Gasol(notes) scored 23 points but had just three rebounds and the Lakers were only 16 of 26 from the line.

For a while, it appeared the Magic couldn’t or wouldn’t miss.

From 20 feet, swish. From 10 feet, nothing but net. Layups, runners, banks, pull-ups, didn’t matter. You name it, if it went up, more times than not it went in.

“We lost this game on the defensive end,” Bryant said. “We had been playing very good defense and the team tonight shoots 62 percent from the field.”

Despite Orlando’s unconscious shooting, the Lakers went into the fourth down just 81-75.

After Pietrus was long with a wide-open 3, Gasol was fouled at the other end and made two free throws to make it 99 all with 2:41 remaining.

“Oh, boy,” muttered one fan near the media section.

But Pietrus calmed fears by dunking in a rare miss to put the Magic up two, and when Lewis hit a jumper—it was originally called a 3 but replays showed his right foot was on the line—Orlando was up 104-101. Bryant then had a chance to pull the Lakers within one, but split two free throws.

The Lakers got the ball back but Bryant, who scored 17 in the first quarter and 21 by halftime, tried to do too much on the next possession. He crossed over to get past Pietrus, but Howard, the league’s defensive player of the year known mostly for his blocks underneath, made like a point guard and tipped the ball away. Pietrus was fouled and made both to make it 106-102.

“It’s disappointing,” Bryant said. “I’m used to coming through in those situations. The team trusts me to come through in those situations and it just didn’t happen tonight. Just got to bounce back.”

The Lakers then became desperate, missing four straight 3s in the closing seconds.

Bryant finally dropped a putback to make it 106-104 with 0.5 seconds left, but Lewis was fouled and hit his free throws to close it out.

Game, set, Magic.

Updated Jun 10, 4:28 am EDT
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956 Comments

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  1. Angelito
    956. Posted by Angelito Thu Jun 11 6:21am EDT

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    Orlando must work hard 2 bring back the magic they had b4 this series
  2. Lee
    955. Posted by Lee Wed Jun 10 10:10pm EDT

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    kobe and the bakers will not win game 4..who-ward and the tragic will!! go magic!! it should have been le broom versus the orlando tragic..hehehehe..
  3. Racer-X
    954. Posted by Racer-X Wed Jun 10 9:16pm EDT

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    But hey you know what? I like skip on my pooh (credit given to Scott for this moniker). I like his background and what he accomplished this year for the Magic. He is a true underdog done good. Having said that, Lakers need to crush skip on my pooh! Defense! Rebound! And don't go straying away from our original strategy - attack the rim, drive to the paint to get Dwighty Mouse in foul trouble! Focus my Lakers!
  4. Racer-X
    953. Posted by Racer-X Wed Jun 10 9:08pm EDT

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    wow, lot of my comments aren't getting posted. Is someone c-ock blocking me? regarding skip to my pooh, I'll say it again. Jackson needs to make substitution adjustment - quit overplaying DFish who cannot keep up with Alsten even though they're both old (Fish 34 Alsten 32). Alsten is faster than Fish. In fact, I can't think of any PGs who are slower than Fish. No disrespect to Fish because I still love the Fish, but Jackson HAS TO match up properly. I'll say this again, skip to my pooh (per Scott) stopped scoring as soon as Jackson put Farmar in (4th qtr). Jackson's got to recognize that and make proper substitutions. Farmar made some clutch shots too. I hope Jackson puts both Shannon and Farmar against skippy, cannot let him score like that again.
  5. Ross D
    952. Posted by Ross D Wed Jun 10 8:06pm EDT

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    909. Posted by POINKY Wed Jun 10 5:28pm EDT...
    You stated: "If you are going to right an article, then at least get your facts right...." WTF are you talking about? Is this a joke? " RIGHT" an article and get the facts right? Okay, "Porky", I'm joking too! No one is perfect in this blogging world. I goof too from time to time but I am not as bad as you. Kobe queer and RAPPING the girls...RAPPING?....LOL...I give up, you're killing me! BTW, Orlando is running out of luck! Tomorrow, the Lakers will beat Magic and your crap! I am serious this time. The Lakers in 5! Your dream ends this Sunday! Go Lakers!
  6. joe c
    951. Posted by joe c Wed Jun 10 7:42pm EDT

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    938 Comemake Sence getting your head caved in for good reason. Here comes more get all juiced up on this MJ is loved so much by Chicago Bull fans he does't even work for the bulls. He wants nothing to do with Chicago or Bulls_ _ _ wow go figure. Take a look at the facts when he won all his championships all teams in the west were bad and old. Also MJ sorounded by good players the idea of him doing it him self is stupid. Jordan was also portected got away with more cause that is all the NBA had then. 90's weak, 80's were great lot better teams, and more competitive. A little history for you Comemake Sence.
  7. d man
    950. Posted by d man Wed Jun 10 7:25pm EDT

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    Overguard Kobe on his right side!!!!! How many shots does he make going to the hoop with his left hand?
  8. nxl
    949. Posted by nxl Wed Jun 10 7:24pm EDT

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    @ skysoldier173us

    The NBA announced that it was NOT A GOALTEND. As the user DAWGMEAT has posted in other articles, the rule is that a player CAN touch the rim w/o being called for goaltending as long as he does not cause an unnatural bounce or vibration. Gasol did neither of the two so it is not goaltending or interference.
  9. Scott
    947. Posted by Scott Wed Jun 10 6:59pm EDT

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    Its not Skip-to-my-lu but Skip-to-my-pooh, the dude had one decent game and now the media is lickin his sac. Who cares if he is from AND1, what a joke that crap is. If i was him i would try to hush that up real quick. Its amazing how well they handle their balls.... too much free time. The behind the back show then take a dribble was ridiculous.
  10. Smallfish
    946. Posted by Smallfish Wed Jun 10 6:57pm EDT

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    I stand corrected James, he was 28, just making a point that while MJ is without question one of the all time greats he spent many years being a ballhog on a mediocre team.
  11. Scott
    945. Posted by Scott Wed Jun 10 6:53pm EDT

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    DANIEL, now you have had 3 hours to think of something new, and you can't. You have said the same thing in all your posts. Don't make me go off on you again. You're comebacks are horrible, go clean the deck, mate, and leave the real talk to grown ups. You've embarrased yourself once don't let it happen again, and do the world a favor and keep your snake in his cage, the world don't need more D-DUMB-DANIELS.
  12. joe c
    944. Posted by joe c Wed Jun 10 6:49pm EDT

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    ( Skip to my Lu ?) that is just a girly name, I had a girl tell me what that all means.
    Superman? Name taken by Shaq who will kick your ass and Vangumby if he wanted to.
    Orlando "Magic" as in Magic Johnson
    Disneyland east
    Hollywood, Florida
    Orlando can you just try to be a little original?
    We don't have a problem of useing these names, but the problem is you can't live up to them.
  13. james
    943. Posted by james Wed Jun 10 6:43pm EDT

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    Mike he was 28, when he got his first
  14. Dave B
    942. Posted by Dave B Wed Jun 10 6:43pm EDT

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    Damn MIKE ROTUNA - You beat me to the post on "COMMON SENSELESS".

    Kobe is a B Ball God and anybody who is a B Ball fan who says they wouldn't take him on their team. Well, they are simply either lying or a complete moron........

    Lakers in 6!
  15. J-head
    941. Posted by J-head Wed Jun 10 6:43pm EDT

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    #923 You're right about the mixed results of Kobe's attempt at closing games. I think his decisions in the fourth quarter, when games are close, are particularly poor. It's one thing if you have a team like the '05 or '06 Lakers (or for that matter, if you've got the energy of a 23 year old); but with players like Ariza, Odom and Gasol stepping up and delivering big this year, there's no need to mimic the Lebron play at the end of games -- particularly since the Magic is so effective in shutting that trick down. I think that towards the end of that game, just like the end of Game 2, Phil should have stepped in and stopped that kind of savior-hero mentality that Kobe gets into. The Magic have had an entire series to practice how to stop that pick and roll at the top of the key -- why did Kobe think he could split the defense?

    It seems like Kobe is forever learning the same lesson over and over again: trust in your teammates, humility isn't weakness, teams win, not individual players, etc. I've always liked the Lakers, but their biggest asset can sometimes be their biggest flaw. I just hope they realize it before it's too late....
  16. Smallfish
    940. Posted by Smallfish Wed Jun 10 6:32pm EDT

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    Hey Common Sense, you should change your name because that comment had none of it. Jordan was a major prick to his teamates and everyone around him. How about the time Steve Kerr was hounding him all practice, just playing hard, and Jordan got pissed off and hit him. Phil kicked MJ out of practice. He was not nice to his teammates until Pippen came along and helped make those championship teams just like Gasol. NOBODY wins championships by themselves. Jordan was a poor imitation of Kobe before he won anything. How old was he when he won his first? 30? Kobe will have 4 titles after this year and several more to come. Change your nickname to "I'm a moron".
  17. Ross D
    939. Posted by Ross D Wed Jun 10 6:25pm EDT

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    The Orlando Magic finally won a game in the finals. Magic won shooting a finals record 63 percent from the field! The Lakers shoot free throws poorly including Kobe who missed five (5). Magic won by four (4) points!... No question about it - the Lakers lost because they played as if they already won the series! The Lakers expected Magic will roll over and die! This spanking by Magic is another wake up call similar to the spankings that happened in last Laker-Rocket and Laker-Nugget playoffs. Just like in previous playoffs, the Lakers will take the challenge siriously and will play their level of game and no doubt will bounce back to win the finals. The "law of average" dictates that the Magic can not duplicate game 3 and Kobe will not shoot poorly ever again! Go Lakers!
  18. Bharath
    938. Posted by Bharath Wed Jun 10 6:24pm EDT

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    eyy, the lakers lost game 3 by FOUR points. they had a chance at pretty much sealing the deal but couldnt. If you think orlando can shoot 64% again, then your retarded, or you dont know basketball. If the lakers win game 4 or 5 then they will win the series in 6
  19. MiGsB16
    937. Posted by MiGsB16 Wed Jun 10 6:23pm EDT

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    I would be worried. For the Magic that is. Shooting over 60 percent compared to the Lakers' 51 percent and to only win by 4? yea they have this series under control.
  20. Common Sense
    936. Posted by Common Sense Wed Jun 10 6:14pm EDT

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    All of you laker lovin bball fans need to learn one phrase...repeat after me...thank you god for Gasol and Odom...its sad when kobe's cast helps him, when other hall of famers such as oh...hmmmm..Michael Jordan makes his team great...and well kobe is a bball hog and out for personal glory. So its great to have people who want to win and not care about stats..so go Gasol and Odom!
  21. david f
    935. Posted by david f Wed Jun 10 6:14pm EDT

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    Caps, ok I can relate to you on this years playoffs. Yes, we would not be in this position if it wasn't for Gasol, Ariza, and Odom. Although, past playoff games over the years have led to Kobe's abilities to close out some games. When we need again I think he'll be back to form... Oh yeah, I was hoping the Caps would have pulled out the east ... I'll be waiting a while for the Kings to represent the west.........
  22. Laker fan
    934. Posted by Laker fan Wed Jun 10 6:06pm EDT

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    Lakers will win game 4. I knew they would lose 3 so didnt bother posting. Magic will come back in game 5 and win, then Lakers will close out in 6. Sorry Orlando fans/Laker haters but this is how its going to end.
  23. Dave B
    933. Posted by Dave B Wed Jun 10 6:05pm EDT

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    Yeah, about Shaq and the three rings they won!!!!!
  24. Common Sense
    932. Posted by Common Sense Wed Jun 10 6:03pm EDT

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    Good job Magic, if Kobe reminds you of your past just remind him of Shaq!
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Top Performers

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 LA Lakers
K. Bryant Kobe Bryant
11-25,  31 Pts
3 Rebs, 8 Assists
 Orlando
D. Howard Dwight Howard
5-6,  21 Pts
14 Rebs, 2 Assists

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