Orlando Magic claimed a 108-104 victory over Los Angeles Lakers in game three of the NBA finals to reduce their deficit to 2-1.
Bryant's 31 points in vain for the Lakers
Dwight Howard starred as Orlando Magic claimed a 108-104 victory over Los Angeles Lakers in game three of the NBA finals to reduce their deficit to 2-1.
Howard scored 21 points and 14 rebounds and received excellent support from Magic team-mates Rafer Alston, Rashard Lewis and Mickael Pietrus.
Alston contributed 20 points and Lewis 19 as Orlando, playing on home court for the first time in the best-of-seven series, shot a finals record 62.5 percent.
Pietrus produced a crucial hand down the strech with 10 of his 18 points coming in the fourth quarter.
The point guard had a put-back dunk with just over two minutes left to give Orlando a two-point lead at 101-99 and drained two free throws with 28 seconds remaining to make it 106-102.
Denied
The result spoiled another strong performance from Lakers shooting guard Kobe Bryant, who scored 21 points in the first half en route to a game-high 31.
Bryant had dominated the opening two matches of the series in Los Angeles but was given little support from his team-mates at the Amway Arena and it was his failed three pointer with 22 seconds left that sealed their fate.
"We finally got us some open shots and did a great job of that," Howard said. "We got to continue to do that if we want to shoot a high percentage.
"There is no need for us to roll over. We felt good knowing we had three games at home and we wanted to get the first one tonight."
The series continues with game four in Orlando on Thursday.
