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Magic shoot 63 percent in 108-104 win over Lakers
Source : By TOM WITHERS, AP Sports Writer, From sports.Yahoo.com
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ORLANDO, Fla. (AP)—Missing for two games, Orlando found its Magic touch.
Making easy shots and tough ones from everywhere, the Magic won their first game in two visits to the NBA finals as Dwight Howard(notes) and Rashard Lewis(notes) scored 21 points apiece in a 108-104 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 3 on Tuesday night to pull within 2-1.
Orlando shot a finals record 63 percent—including another record 75 percent in the first half—to snap a six-game finals losing streak and avoid falling into an 0-3 hole that 88 previous teams in postseason history have been unable to escape.
“Well, it was going in the basket. That always works,” Magic coach Stan Van Gundy said. “That formula’s always tried and true.”
In the series opener, the Magic couldn’t hit the Pacific Ocean, making only 29.9 percent and were blown out by 25 points. In Game 2, they were only slightly better, shooting 42 percent in an overtime loss. But back on their home court, where the baskets seem wider and more welcoming, the Magic shot their way back into this series.
As Shaquille O’Neal(notes), still a presence long after leaving both franchises, posted on his Twitter page following the game: “By george I think we have a series.”
