The Orlando Magic set a new NBA Finals record, shooting 62.5 percent from the field, as they defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 108-104, in Game 3 of the 2009 NBA Finals. Thanks to balanced scoring and solid defense, the Magic now trail the Lakers 2-1 in the best-of-seven series.
Orlando on Fire in Game 3
Los Angeles and Orlando have played evenly matched first quarters all series long, and Game 3 was no exception. The game went back and forth as the Magic shot the lights out, and Kobe Bryant blazed his own trail. The first quarter saw Bryant at his finest, as he ended the first session with a rare four-point play to give Los Angeles a 31-27 lead. As the second quarter began, nothing could stop the hot shooting of the Orlando Magic, however, the game was neck and neck throughout most of the quarter. Los Angeles got solid bench play which allowed Kobe Bryant to rest, however, the Magic refused to miss! Rafer Alston had 13 points in the first half, and Orlando shot an NBA Finals record, 75 percent from the field. This amazing effort gave the Magic a 59-54 lead at the break.
Orlando Wins
The third quarter saw a frustrated Kobe Bryant struggle from the field. Bryant, who had 21 at the half, looked rather dazed as Orlando kept the pressure on. Magic guard Rafer Alston continued his solid play, and Orlando maintained the lead. The third quarter was a "foul fest", and the Lakers were ice cold from the line. While Los Angeles was building a brick house from the charity stripe, the Magic continued to shoot like a kid in his backyard. Orlando was still shooting 65% from the floor when the third quarter ended, and the Magic took an 81-75 lead into the final session. Kobe Bryant rode the bench to begin the fourth, and the Lakers played well. Lamar Odom and Jordan Farmar kept the Lakers in the game while Bryant got a breather. Hedo Turkoglu and Mickael Pietrus hit huge baskets early in the quarter for the Magic, and Orlando built a 9 point lead. Los Angeles made a late run, and it looked as though Orlando would be in for yet another tough loss. The Lakers were 5-for-5 from the field in the final quarter with five minutes remaining. Pau Gasol made clutch free throws for the Lakers in the closing moments to tie the game at 99. Orlando would recapture the lead and take a 104-101 advantage with 1:06 left in regulation. When the Lakers needed Kobe Bryant the most, he failed to make the plays in Game 3. Bryant missed five foul shots on the night and missed a critical free throw down the stretch. Los Angeles trailed 104-102 in the finals seconds of the game and were looking to tie the contest, but Bryant had the ball poked away by Mickael Pietrus...and the game was sealed. Orlando captured their first NBA Finals win in franchise history.
Key Statistics/Notes
Score:
Orlando 108
Los Angeles 104
Field Goal Percentage:
Magic 62.5% (NBA FINALS RECORD)
Lakers 51.3%
Free Throw Percentage:
Magic 76.7%
Lakers 61.5%
Points in the Paint:
Lakers 40
Magic 36
Dwight Howard
21 Points
14 Rebounds
2 Assists
Rashard Lewis
21 Points
5 Rebounds
5 Assists
Rafer Alston
20 Points
Hedo Turkoglu
18 Points
6 Rebounds
7 Assists
Mickael Pietrus
18 Points
Kobe Bryant
31 Points
3 Rebounds
8 Assists
Pau Gasol
23 Points
3 Rebounds
Trevor Ariza
13 Points
7 Rebounds
1 Assist
Orlando shot an NBA Finals record 62.5 percent from the field. The hot shooting percentage beats the old mark held by the Chicago Bulls (61.7 percent) in the 1991 NBA Finals against Los Angeles. Orlando is now 1-6 all-time in NBA Finals history. Los Angeles tied an NBA record by dropping their seventh straight Finals game on the road. The Lakers now share the company of the Fort Wayne Pistons from 1955-56.
Game 4 of the 2009 NBA Finals is Thursday, June 11. All the action begins at 9:00 ET on ABC live from Amway Arena in Orlando.
