(AP Photo/John Bazemore)
The most impressive aspect of this game was the way the Magic held on for the victory. This was a team win personified. After shooting a Finals record 75% in the first half despite Kobe Bryant looking like he was going to go for 82, the Magic were as professional as they have been this entire playoffs and held on for the most important win in franchise history. The Lakers still lead the best of seven series 2-1.
Orlando shot a Finals record 63% for the game. Must have been home cooking. They had an amazing five players with 18 or more points (Showtime Lakers?). Howard and Lewis led with 21, Alston with a measure of redemption, hit for 20, and Mickael Pietrus and Hedo Turkoglu each hit for 18.
Their worse shooter was Lewis who made 8 of 14 shots. Personally, I don’t think I’ve ever seen a team shoot this good in the playoffs. The only other teams that come to mind are Chuck’s Suns and Webber’s Kings.
Clutch when they had to be.
Of course, no one expected the Magic to shoot the lights out like they did last night. Howard had a huge weight lifted off his shoulders because of the collective contribution of his entire team.
He didn’t need to go 30/20 as I called for. I guess subconsciously I expected the Lakers to go for the kill. I don’t think either of these teams are what you would call great. The Lakers are 14-7 and Orlando is 13-9 in the postseason. That’s not a slight to either team, it just shows the parity of the NBA. The only other two teams who could have crashed the party were the Nuggets and the Rockets right?
I really thought Kobe would go wild in the fourth. Definitely an aberration when Kobe misses 5-10 free throws. As a team, the Lakers shot 16-26 (62%). The Magic won by 4.
Rafer (huge) stepped up big and so did Pietrus. Both performed as MVP’s in different stages of the game to support the great efforts of the big three.
The most telling stat besides shooting was Dwight Howard making 11-16 free throws. He was clutch in this regard. He was 5-6 from the field and his team actually won. I thought he had to get off to open up the floor for the shooters, but hey, who am I?
There was a stretch in the fourth where Magic passing was less to be desired, but after every Los Angeles big bucket, someone on the Magic came right back.
Pietrus’ steal of Beans and Kobe’s subsequent foul late locked it up.
For Los Angeles, Bryant led with 31 but needed 25 shots (17 pts. in the first on 7-10 shooting). He continued finding his teammates and had his third straight game with 8 assists. Dude came out hot, super hot, but cooled off in the second half with 10 points.
Pau Gasol continues to impress and had 23 on 9-11 shooting. Lamar Odom disappeared again. When he wanted to, he played with great confidence. He needs to come back and play a lot more involved if this team is to win any game in Orlando.
It’s funny, but every Lakers advantage was nullified just because Orlando was home? Huh?
The starters combined for 20 rebounds? Huh?
Trevor Ariza led with 7? Huh?
What is this Andrew Bynum enigma?
This was one game, but I figured the Lakers weren’t as good as advertised defensively. How many games have you seen a team lose when they shot 51%?
Both teams played very well, but it’s not often that Kobe was actually a deciding factor in the loss. After getting off with an 8-11 start, he was 3-14 the rest of the way. He was frustrated with his effort and a little winded. Could he have hit the Great Wall of China?
Have you ever seen a game when a team has 29 rebounds total (because of shooting obviously) and actually wins. This had to be one of the most unique games in recent memory.
To the Lakers credit, most teams almost take Game 3 off after going up 2-0. They fought hard and have nothing to hang their heads over.
The one thing I’ve noticed about the Magic is their resiliency. Whenever they seem like they are down and out, they seem to always respond with great performances (Sixers after Howard’s suspension and Celtics after Glen Davis’ game winner).
If it’s gonna take the Magic to shoot this well to win, they are in trouble.
Kobe has now had two straight sub-par (for him) performances. Another aberration.
Rafer Alston set the tone early and earned big minutes in Game 4.
Their bench was the difference. Each team had 13 turnovers, but the Lakers committed theirs in critical moments.
Gasol has to get the ball more for the Lakers and the Magic have to continue to put pressure on the Lakers defensively.
If the Magic lose in Game 4, this performance will be seen as wasted.
Think about it, the Magic shot 62% and still almost lost.
Orlando was expected to win this game.
One game is out of the way. Two more to get.
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