ORLANDO -- No team ever has won the NBA Finals after trailing 3-1, and the Orlando Magic won't be the first. History says no way.Their storybook ride through the playoffs is all but over.
The Los Angeles Lakers took the commanding 3-1 lead with a 99-91 overtime victory Thursday, riding the determination of Kobe Bryant and the late-game heroics of Derek Fisher.
Bryant had a game-high 32 points. Dwight Howard had 16 points, 21 rebounds and a Finals record nine blocked shots, but he let down the Magic at the end.
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The Lakers, looking for their 15th NBA title, forced overtime after erasing a five-point deficit in the final 38 seconds of regulation, capitalizing on the poor free throw shooting and late-game mental lapses of the Magic.
Dwight Howard missed a pair of free throws with :11 remaining in regulation, leaving the Magic with an 87-84 lead, allowing Fisher to tie the game with his 3-point basket with :04.6 remaining.
The Magic missed seven free throws in the fourth period.
There was something really eerie about the way the neophyte Magic lost, very similar to what happened in Game 1 of their 1995 Finals appearance when Nick Anderson missed four free throws in the closing seconds of regulation, then watched Rockets point guard Kenny Smith hit a 3-pointer to send it into overtime, where the Magic lost.
It was the seventh time in this postseason that the Lakers had won a game after losing the previous one.
The Lakers, who trailed by 12 at halftime, started their comeback when they dominated the third period behind Trevor Ariza. He missed all six of his shots in the first half, but he made five of six shots – and two of three from 3-point range – in the third period. It took them 12 minutes to turn a 12-point halftime deficit into a four-point lead.
The Magic led, 49-37, at intermission, riding some great team defense, the hot start of Hedo Turkoglu and the early domination by Howard.
It was a quirky start for both teams. Howard had 11 of the team's 12 first quarter rebounds. He got all of his in the first nine minutes. Bryant had 13 points in that first period, but the Lakers entire starting lineup managed just 15.
By halftime, Howard and the Lakers each had 14 rebounds. He had five blocks, and they had two. Howard didn't manage his first field goal until midway in the second period, but he still dominated the game.
Latest NBA Finals Photos
ORLANDO, FL - JUNE 11: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers and Dwight Howard #12 of the Orlando Magic exchange words in the second half of Game Four of the 2009 NBA Finals on June 11, 2009 at Amway Arena in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Kobe Bryant;Dwight Howard
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ORLANDO, FL - JUNE 11: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers and Dwight Howard #12 of the Orlando Magic exchange words in the second half of Game Four of the 2009 NBA Finals on June 11, 2009 at Amway Arena in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Kobe Bryant;Dwight Howard
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ORLANDO, FL - JUNE 11: Marcin Gortat #13 of the Orlando Magic dunks against Pau Gasol #16 of the Los Angeles Lakers in Game Four of the 2009 NBA Finals at Amway Arena on June 11, 2009 in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Credit: 2009 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Marcin Gortat;Pau Gasol
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ORLANDO, FL - JUNE 11: (R-L) Singer Rihanna and guest attend Game Four of the 2009 NBA Finals between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Orlando Magic on June 11, 2009 at Amway Arena in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Rihanna
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ORLANDO, FL - JUNE 11: Singer Rihanna attends Game Four of the 2009 NBA Finals between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Orlando Magic on June 11, 2009 at Amway Arena in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Rihanna
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ORLANDO, FL - JUNE 11: Singer Rihanna attends Game Four of the 2009 NBA Finals between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Orlando Magic on June 11, 2009 at Amway Arena in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Rihanna
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ORLANDO, FL - JUNE 11: Dwight Howard #12 of the Orlando Magic reaches in on Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers in Game Four of the 2009 NBA Finals on June 11, 2009 at Amway Arena in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Dwight Howard;Kobe Bryant
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ORLANDO, FL - JUNE 11: Trevor Ariza #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers drives for a dunk against Hedo Turkoglu #15 of the Orlando Magic in Game Four of the 2009 NBA Finals at Amway Arena on June 11, 2009 in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Credit: 2009 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Trevor Ariza;Hedo Turkoglu
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ORLANDO, FL - JUNE 11: Lamar Odom #7 of the Los Angeles Lakers and Dwight Howard #12 of the Orlando Magic react in the fourth quarter of Game Four of the 2009 NBA Finals on June 11, 2009 at Amway Arena in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Lamar Odom;Dwight Howard
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ORLANDO, FL - JUNE 11: Andrew Bynum #17 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts against the Orlando Magic in Game Four of the 2009 NBA Finals at Amway Arena on June 11, 2009 in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Credit: 2009 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Andrew Bynum
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Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Orlando gave this game away, at the free throw line and out of sheer stupidity. Howard sinks one of his final free throws, it's over. Orlando failed to foul the Lakers with a 3 point lead once the ball was put into play. Just plain stupid. Orlando deserves to lose when you play like that. Too bad, could of been an interesting series.
Sheer stupidity on the party of Van Gundy maybe. Keeping a lame Jameer Nelson in the game when it is clear he can't recover quick enough on defense and looses his dribble every other time down the court (nevermind leaving Fisher open behind the 3 point line when a 3 is what the Lakers needed to tie). This series was lost on lack of coaching, not lack of talent.
you have got to be joking right how can an NBA team go the hole 4th qt without taking one free throw I think the game or the refs are being payed to look the other way what a bad job of reffing but in the end we did win
didn't think the lakers could come back after the refs basically handed the magic the game a few minutes into the first quarter. Howard throws elbows all game but bynum, gasol, and odom get limited by touch fouls. Don't call howard's elbows; don't call laker ticky-tack fouls; even!!
bad coaching and bad play with 11 seconds left in regulation for the magic, they should have fouled any laker for a possible 2 pts at the line and hold the ball for the remaining secs
Horrid reffing. When does a team never even get a single free throw attempt in the 4th of a close game? Now we know: when Stern wants a long series. Howard might have blown it at the line. But, at least he showed up. Where was Gortat and Lewis? How could Nelson let Fisher get off that three?
The referees has been calling the game for Orlando *nearly* the entire night and they STILL blew it. How did LA not shoot ANY free throws in the 4th Quarter in such a physical game? Orlando choked again with the buzzer beater at the end of the 4th and were just trounced in overtime YET AGAIN.
I don't know why Stan Van Gundy thinks playing Jameer Nelson is a good idea, because each game that he's had significant minutes this series, they lose in the stupidest ways.
If Orlando wants to win this thing, they need to make SVG stop putting Nelson in the game, otherwise LA is winning it all on Sunday.
the fat lady is about to start singin.how do the magic go the whole 4th quarter without commiting 1 foul;ive never seen that before.
There seems to be a lot of people that keep saying how did orlando not commit any fouls in the 4th. HELLO!! McFly, just because they're not called doesn't mean they didn't do them. Has anyone heard of vegas? did everyone forget the ref scandal which confirmed fixed games? they swept that under the rug pretty quick but i forgive but never forget. HEAVY HEAVY action on the lakers, the refs cheat and we still win. thought this was going to be another charger/steeler 11-10 game but LA is too good. FISHER=BAD BEAT FOR VEGAS
Lakers stole the game? (original headline) Even with the ref's not calling any fouls in the 4th...
the Lakers played their ar*es off and won even though it's seems they weren't suppose to (?)........... Go Lakers! in 5
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The refs should get the MVP award. That elbow by Kobe at the end was a blatant foul that the refs didn't call. Fisher's three shouldn't have counted and Jameer should have been at the line shooting two. I don't know how any of the Lakers can celebrate knowing the refs had to help them just so they can beat the Magic. This game reminded me why I stopped watching the NBA. I can't tolerate the favortism.
Your kidding right ? after all the phantom fouls called on the lakers. Howard pushes down Gasol.. no call, Fisher barely touches Howard.. FOUL.. LA ZERO foul shots in 4th.. and you cherry pick 1 play with an inadvertant elbow... Howard smacked Gasol in the face ... No call, LA gutted out a win in spite of the refs, not because of them
Pietrus literally hit Gasol in the back very hard with both hands on the last play of the game. I can't understand why no one drew attention to that on the replay. It was very obvious. I know that they called a flagrant on it, but I wouldn't be surprised if he got suspended for it. It was along the lines of Fisher's foul against Houston (I can't remember his name!)
what! The Magic have been to the foul line 2-1 verses the Lakers! Kobe gets fouled 95% of time he drives and Superman throws elbows everytime he makes a drop step! The Refs are clearly favoring the Maghic and it stinks! Magic should have been swept!
Pietrus is a jerk and I hope he gets suspended for the next game for that blatant shove on Pau
What a loser....they blow the game and all he can do is attack from behind.....jack ass
Chicken**** hit at the end of the game, Pietrus should be suspended for the next game. Part of the problem is i"ve seen bad refereeing the entire season,not just for the Lakers but again"st them also.Kinda makes me wonder if T.V. has alot to do with it ? Oh Well....GO LAKERS
That what I have been saying for years. You sports fans better wake up. You being taken for fools. These ball games are fixed for betting. Why is it when the line comes out too low for a game when a team should be favored by a lot more points that team 9 out of ten times they lose. Dont take my word for it, just follow the line this season on the NFL. A team that should be favored by 14 is only favored by 3 they either win under 3 or lose the dam ball game. The X football players knows what is going on and that is why thet are announcers so they make an excuse for what is going on with a bad call. This is called a cover up. What up people.
i cant believe that the lakers didnt get one call in the 4 quarter not shooting one free throw while orlando got like 20 i give it to the lakers for gutting this one out while the refs clearly had it out for them oh ya who can forget about d fish with two big threes at the end
GO LAKERS
I too felt Pietrus was a jerk all night. Flagrant is too mild a description fot that assault on Gasol, a foul for which Pietrus won't suffer a minute off the court. No suspension. So much for NBA justice...