Magic Hold on Late to Beat Lakers in Game 3
June 10, 2009 by Stephen Kersey
Filed under Basketball
If the Orlando Magic wanted to have any hope to win the 2009 NBA Finals, they needed to win Game 3. Coming into the contest down 0-2 against the Los Angeles Lakers, it was either win or write the obituary.
Win is what the Magic did. Holding off a hard charging Lakers team, Orlando’s hot shooting was enough for the victory. For the game, the Magic shot 62.5% from the field — an NBA record — and won by a final score of 108-104.
Leading the way for the home team was superstar bigman Dwight Howard. He finished with 21 points, 14 rebounds, two assists and two blocks.
Dwight Howard wins his first game in the NBA Finals (Image: Zuma Press)
Rashard Lewis and Rafer Alston were also huge for the Magic. Lewis had 21 points, five rebounds and five assists, while Alston totaled 20 points and four assists.
For the Lakers, it was the Kobe Bryant show early and often. After scoring 20 points in the first half, he totaled 31 points and eight assists for the game. The Lakers also got 23 points from Pau Gasol on 9-for-11 shooting from the floor.
Game 4 will prove to pivotal. If the Lakers win, they’ll be on their way to the 15th championship in their franchise’s history. If the Magic win, we’ll have a competitive 2009 NBA Finals on our hands.
