Game 3: So Close, Yet So Far

The Los Angeles Lakers fell to the Orlando Magic 108-104, but still have a 2-1 lead in the NBA Finals. The game was close for most of the time, with neither team able to compile a double-digit lead. Orlando entered the fourth quarter with a 6 point lead, but the Lakers were able to cut it to two and even tie it on various occasions. However, LA could not overcome the hump, and never managed to take the lead in the second half. The Magic were on fire for most of the game, shooting .625 from the field. Free-throws took their toll on both teams, as the Lakers were 16-for-26 from the line while Orlando was 22-for-29. Kobe had a red-hot first quarter, but could not muster much after that, finishing the game with 31 points and a playoff-low 5-for-10 shooting from the charity stripe. Pau Gasol had 23 points, and Trevor Ariza added 13. Both Lamar Odom and Jordan Farmar scored 11 off the bench. Five different Orlando players scored in double-digits, starting with Dwight Howard who totaled 21 points and 14 rebounds. Rashard Lewis and Rafer Alston followed as both scored 20 points. Hedo Turkoglu added 18.