
The 4th game of an NBA Finals series usually proves to be the pivotal one that can sway a series. Last year, the Lakers lost to the Celtics in Game 4 of the NBA Finals when the Lakers choked away a 24-point lead. One year later, the Lakers were on the other end of a choke job. The Orlando Magic choked Game 4 away, losing 99-91 in overtime to the Los Angeles Lakers.
No team has ever come back from a 3-1 series deficit in the NBA Finals.
The second quarter wasn't any kinder to the Lakers as they scored only 17 points to the Magic's 25. L.A. was down 12 points at the half and their only saving grace was Kobe Bryant who had 16 points at the half (13 pts in the 1st quarter).
Then, the Lakers blazed a purple and gold run, which was led by Trevor Ariza. The dude who was 0-for-6 in the 1st half and was blocked twice by Dwight Howard.
Ariza got the party started with a steal and a dunk. Later, a wild running jump shot tickled the twine. Then, he found himself open on a couple of threes and drained them. When the quarter was finished, the former Westchester High & UCLA star put up 13 points on his former mates. He would later make a huge three in the 4th qtr to stop a Magic run.

Orlando didn't give up, and they looked like they were firmly in control as Howard converted an AND ONE opportunity. Shortly after Hedo Turkoglu hit his patented step-back three, and nailed a floater to give the Magic an 87-82 lead with 1:34 left to go in the game.
After a Rashard Lewis miss, Kobe pushed the tempo and made an amazing behind the back pass to a trailing Pau Gasol for a slam dunk. Suddenly there was life.
Dwight Howard then found himself open after a defensive miscue, and was ready to rock the rim, but Kobe Bryant put Superman on the ground. This play will go largely unnoticed because of what would follow, but if you're going to foul a guy as strong as Howard, you better make sure he doesn't make the basket.
Kryptonite must've taken the shape of the ball, as he clanked both free throws, giving the Lakers new life. Questions followed: Would the Lakers go for the three and tie on the road? Would the Magic foul?
The Magic should've fouled...
Jameer Nelson foolishly sagged off Fisher, who was 0-5 from three in the game, and Fish made him pay. Derek Fisher hit the three with 4.6 seconds remaining, tying the game at 87 all.
The Magic's final possession of regulation was ugly as Mickael Pietrus put up a wild shot that hit the back iron. He passed on a wide open Rashard Lewis in the corner, and neglected a huge mismatch with Kobe Bryant guarding Dwight Howard.
This game was going into overtime. The first time since the great year of my birth (1984!) that an NBA Finals has had two overtime periods.
Rashard Lewis kicked off the OT, by hitting a wild fadeaway three pointer. Those were his final points of the game though, as he finished with only six points. The Lakers threw a number of defenders at him, and he was flummoxed for most of the game.
Kobe then went to work. He hit two jump shots to give the Lakers the lead 91-90. But as usual, the Lakers were content to let Kobe save them, but he missed three consecutive jumpers, in a stretch where no one else wanted the ball.
Finally, with 35 seconds left, Kobe didn't have to be the hero. Jameer Nelson left Derek Fisher to double team Kobe in the post. Bryant threw an elbow to Jameer's grill, that was ignored by the officials. As Nelson fell to the floor in pain, Bryant found Derek Fisher for another big time three ball. The Lakers went up 94-91, and never looked back.
The Lakers get their biggest win in post-Shaq era with Lamar Odom and Pau Gasol only giving them a combined 25 points. They won a game where Kobe missed 20 shots. They won a game where they put their opponent on the line 37 times, and that turned out to be the key.
The Magic shot 10-17 from the line in the 4th quarter. Hedo Turkoglu (8-13 FT) and Dwight Howard (6-14) choked at the line. Hedo must've had flashbacks to his clank-filled days in Sacramento.
Orlando also doomed themselves with their 17 turnovers. Dwight Howard was the main culprit with seven of them.
They now find themselves playing in a "do or die" situation at home. I believe that the Magic will put on one more offensive display before they go POOF! The Magic will take Game 5 on their floor in a final display of pride, before the Lakers are crowned as champs in Los Angeles.
What were your reactions to Fisher's big three-point shots? Leave a comment below!
1 comment:
Fisher showed us what veteran leadership on a team is all about. I am glad that Kobe didn't try to force the shot and passed it to Fish . It was two veterans that came together and rescued the Lakers from what would have been a big loss. It would have given all the momentum to the magic going into game 5.Lets hope the Lakers can end it on Sunday.
Post a Comment