Balance and High Percentage Shooting Help Magic Take Game 3

For the Magic it was do or die as facing a 0-3 defecit would have spelled their demise after a terriffic season. But for at least one game they got it together it was one of the most impressive NBA Finals performances in recent memory to make the series 2-1. To put it simple, they made their shots. They made many of their shots. The Orlando Magic as a team shot a whopping 75% in the first half and an insane 62.5% for the game. Balance was the key as the Magic spread the ball around and had 5 players who scored at least 18 points. Dwight Howard and Rashard Lewis led the way with 21 points each, Howard added 14 rebounds. Rafer Alston also had a huge game after 2 horrific games in L.A. with 20 points. The Lakers were led by Kobe Bryant's 31 points, 17 of which came in the first quarter. Bryant could not sustain his hot shooting throughout the rest of the game and despite a decent effort (not his best) from the game's best closer, Orlando's shooting was just too much for even Bryant to overcome. Pau Gasol added 23 points but made a crucial mistake when he recovered a Bryant turnover and then turned the ball over himself instead of taking a timeout. Bryant was forced to foul Pietrus who then made to clutch free throws to put the Magic ahead by 4 with just under 30 seconds to go in the fourth. Pietrus was another Magic player who had 18 points. The Lakers got solid all around play from Derek Fisher and Lamar Odom but it was not enough. Trevor Ariza missed to many open opportunities and with the way the Magic were shooting, it was something the Lakers could not afford. Look for a better performance from Bryant in Game 4 but if the Magic ride their confident shooting into the next Game, this series will be even.