Orlando Magic Make History, Win First NBA Finals Game in 20-Year Existence

The Magic got the job done tonight.

They came out, shot an extremely effective 62.5 percent from the floor (ending the first half shooting 75 percent from the field, the highest field-goal percentage during any half in NBA Finals history), and finished the second half of the game strong, inevitably winning their first NBA Finals game during their 20-year existence in the league.

Dwight Howard led the way with a game-high 14 rebounds and a tied for a team high 21 points on of 5-of-6 shooting from the field and 11-of-16 from the charity stripe. Superman played a total of 43 minutes on the court (another game high) and swatted two shots while also dishing out two assists.

Although Howard was constantly double-teamed, and at times even triple-teamed, he still managed to put up an outstanding performance for his home crowd.

After all the commotion about Rafer Alston supposedly being upset for sitting out during one quarter in Game Two's loss, Skip-to-my-Lou came out in Game Three with pure vengeance.

Alston had the hot hand early, scoring 11 of his total 20 points in the first quarter. He shot 8-of-12 from the field, including one trey ball and four assists.

Forward Hedo Turkoglu and Rashard Lewis combined for a total of 39 points, 11 rebounds, 12 assists, and four threes made off of 15-of-26 shooting from the floor (57.7 percent).

Lewis knocked down a clutch three-pointer with only one minute remaining during regulation, pushing Orlando's lead to three points and virtually never looking back.

X-factor Mickael Pietrus put on an excellent performance, scoring 18 points on of 7-of-11 shooting.

Pietrus came up huge during the final quarter, knocking down 10 points and grabbing the game-winning steal with only 28.7 seconds left on the clock; which ultimately sent him to the free-throw line to increase Orlando's lead to four.

As for the Lakers, Kobe Bryant put on a ridiculous clinic, scoring 17 points in the first quarter and ending the game with a game-high 31 points, including four three-pointers.

Bryant was 5-of-10 from the foul line and his missed free throws were ultimately the Lakers downfall in this game, as the Magic are now only one game from tying the series.

Tonight, the Magic hit only five threes from the field, but surely made up for it with their tremendous shooting percentage from the floor.

If they can continue shooting the ball well and keep feeding Howard the basketball down low in the post, there is no reason Orlando cannot tie up the series on Thursday and possibly take a commanding lead on Sunday.

Game Four coverage begins at 8:30 on ABC.

Orlando-108        Lakers-104