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Updated Friday, June 12, 2009 1:34 pm TWN, By TOM WITHERS, AP |
![]() Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant, left, and Orlando Magic's Courtney Lee fight for possession in the third quarter of Game 4 of the NBA basketball finals Thursday, June 11, 2009, in ... More Photos (2)
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Lakers take 3-1 lead with another OT winBryant scored two quick baskets in the overtime, and Howard tied it when he split two free throws with 1:27 remaining. On L.A.'s next trip, Ariza grabbed his own miss to get another 24 seconds and Fisher lined up and drilled his 3-pointer from the top of the key to make it 94-91. As he retreated down court and Orlando called a timeout, the Lakers bench stormed onto the court and surrounded the popular 34-year-old Fisher, who came back to the team after a short stint in Utah. The Lakers spent the first half in foul trouble, complaining to the officials and generally out of sorts. Ariza was given a technical for slamming the ball to the floor and coach Phil Jackson got sanctioned for shouting something from his high chair on L.A.'s bench. Appearing in their 30th finals, the Lakers acted more like first-time visitors to a city choked with tourists. "Fakers!" yelled one Magic fan. "Cry babies!" screamed another. The Los Angeles players and coaching staff slowly left the floor at halftime facing a 12-point deficit and seemingly in trouble. They came back a different team. After going just 1 of 10 on 3-pointers in the opening half, the Lakers made three straight 3s — two by Ariza — to start the second half, and when Bynum made two free throws with 5:58 left in the quarter Los Angeles was up 55-54, its first lead since 8-7. Odom dropped another 3, Orlando's J.J. Redick matched it and the Lakers forward made a layup to give Los Angeles a 63-61 lead. On Orlando's next possession, Howard grabbed a rebound just outside the lane that Bryant wanted more. Reaching in, he tore the ball from Superman's powerful grip and then broke free from his Olympic teammate, who grabbed him around the waist. | |||||||||||||