Orlando’s Record Shooting
The Orlando Magic shot the lights out in game three of the NBA Finals Tuesday night. The Magic set an NBA Finals record with a sizzling 62.5 per cent aim on their field goal attempts.
The record shooting helped the Magic defeat the Los Angeles Lakers, 108-104, and get back in the series. The Lakers still lead, 2-1, but the momentum is now on Orlando’s side.
Game four is Thursday night in Orlando and game five is Sunday night also in Orlando.
You don’t shoot 62 per cent as a team with just one or two hot hands. All five Magic starters and sub Mickael Pietrus shot better than 50 per cent.
Dwight Howard led the way, making 5-6 field goal attempts. He also was 11-16 on free throws for 21 points. Rashard Lewis also had 21 on 8-14 shooting.
Rafer Alston broke out of the slump he was in the first two games and hit 20 points on 8-12 shooting. Hedo Turkoglu and Pietrus both finished with 18 and nearly identical field goal accuracy. Turkoglu was 7-12 and Pietrus 7-11.
The Lakers shot 51 per cent and Kobe Bryant hit 31 points. But Bryant actually had one of his poorer nights from the free throw line.
The Laker star was 5-10 from the line and missed a key free throw with 59 seconds left. Bryant had a chance to bring the Lakers within one but missed the first of two free throws. That left the Magic ahead 104-102 with 59.8 left.
Lewis had a drive on the basket blocked on the Magic’s next possession. The Lakers could have taken the lead or tied the game on their next possession but Howard swatted away Bryant’s dribble at the top of the key.
Pau Gasol almost recovered the ball for the Lakers but Pietrus was able to wrestle it away and then he was fouled. Pietrus made two free throws to cushion the Orlando lead, 106-102, with 28.7 left.
The Lakers launched four shots from 3-point range in the final 28 seconds but all were off the mark. Bryant rebounded the last of the misses and made a put back that brought the Lakers within two, 106-104.
But there was only .5 seconds left at that point. All the Lakers could do was foul Lewis after the inbound. Lewis made two free throws to seal the four point victory.
The Magic’s record accuracy from the field included a first half Finals record as well. Orlando led 59-54 at the break after sinking a record 75 per cent of their first half shots (24 of 32).
Can Orlando even the series Thursday night? They probably can’t expect to shoot 62 per cent again. But the Lakers probably won’t shoot over 50 per cent either.
Bryant started strong with 17 points in the first quarter of game three but was unable to be the closer he usually is. That could mean he is wearing down but it surely will mean he will be more determined than ever to make up for his short comings in the loss.
Orlando did a good job of pushing the ball up court in a hurry and had great ball movement on the offensive end. That kept the pressure on the Laker defense. It is likely they will have to do that again to win game four.
