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Posted on Friday, 06.12.09

NBA FINALS | LAKERS 99, MAGIC 91 (OT)

Orlando Magic's vanishing act gives Lakers 3-1 Finals lead

Derek Fisher sent the game into overtime with a three-pointer, then made another to put the Lakers ahead for good, and Los Angeles emerged with a huge victory and a 3-1 lead in the NBA Finals.

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Boxscore | Lakers 99, Magic 91 (OT)

BY MICHAEL WALLACE

mwallace@MiamiHerald.com

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"In a championship run you are going to have moments where you just make big plays. Tonight was one of em," said Bryant. "Guys stepped up. Trevor made a big three, Derek obviously made two big ones. That's what this journey's about."

But both teams cooled considerably Thursday night. The Lakers went inside early, intent on reestablishing a post-up game they gradually went away from in Game 3 despite a 9-of-11 effort from Gasol in the loss.

However Orlando's defense was stiff, and Howard controlled everything inside.

If he wasn't grabbing almost every rebound that came off the rim, he was blocking shots and triggering the Magic's offense. But the balance that had been Orlando's trademark throughout the playoffs was missing.

The Magic would open the fourth quarter with only Hedo Turkoglu and Rafer Alston in double figures scoring. Turkoglu scored 25 to lead Orlando, which missed four free throws in the final five minutes of regulation and in overtime.

Howard had 11 of Orlando's first 12 rebounds and finished the half with 14 boards and four blocked shots. Howard's defense resulted in a slow start for the Lakers, who shot 33.3 percent in the first half and didn't get much scoring beyond Bryant.

Bryant had 16 points and was 5 of 12 from the field in the half. The rest of the Lakers were a combined 9 of 30. Orlando took its first double-digit lead on Lewis' three-pointer midway through the second quarter, and the Magic lead 49-37 at the break.

"You've always got to be on edge and be mindful of what your opposition is doing and how well they're playing and what they've figured out," Bryant said of how Orlando has adjusted after the first two games of the series. "Of course, that's a little bit of a concern."

Of greater concern for the Lakers was whether Bryant would fight through fatigue better than he did late in Game 3. After scoring 21 points in the first half Tuesday, Bryant was limited to three field goals during a second half that saw him miss free throws and commit a critical turnover down the stretch.

Bryant sat out of practice the day after Orlando's 108-104 victory in Game 3. The Lakers also canceled their shootaround Thursday morning.

"Kobe is one of the strongest-willed people to every play this game," Lakers forward Lamar Odom said. "He's always got something left."

Bryant got help from Ariza and they led the Lakers on a 21-7 run to open the third quarter, and turned a double-digit deficit into a 58-56 lead. The Lakers turned up their defense in the third, held Orlando to 14 points and carried a 67-63 lead into fourth.

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