Lakers Defeat Magic 99-91 (OT), Lead Series 3-1

Sasha Vujacic and Shannon Brown cheering from the Lakers bench. AP Photo/David J. Phillip

It took some scratching and clawing, but the Lakers defeated the Magic in overtime 99-91.

The Lakers were off kilter to start off the game allowing Magic center Dwight Howard to grab 11 first quarter rebounds. Also all the Lakers bigs were in foul trouble at one point forcing the Lakers to play DJ Mbenga and Josh Powell. Thanks to Magic turnovers the Lakers were down by only four points despite not being able to shoot and.

It would get worse for the Lakers in the second quarter where they couldn't defend worth squat and would trail at halftime by twelve.

But the Lakers came out on fire in the third quarter thanks to Trevor Ariza who would score 10 points in the first six minutes of the third to get the Lakers close. The Lakers and Magic would go back and forth until the Magic led by three with 10.8 seconds left in regulation. Derek Fisher who has been rather ineffective offensively throughout the playoffs knocked down a three with 4.6 seconds left.

In overtime Rashard Lewis would draw first blood for the Magic knocking down a three as the shot clock expired. But it was all Lakers in the overtime period yet again peaking with a hard dunk by Pau Gasol as Kobe Bryant dished off while running to the basket. Gasol would cement the game with an open court dunk. Mickael Pietrus would throw a hard shove on Gasol hanging from the rim which would earn Pietrus a flagrant foul. Gasol shoved back and exchanged some words with Pietrus with both getting a technical foul for the extra curricular activity.

The Lakers will now look to win the NBA title on Sunday in Orlando.