All of the Orlando Magic backers out there certainly have an argument when they say that the Magic could very easily lead the NBA Finals 3-1 over the Lakers instead of the other way around.
That's indeed true, but mistakes have cost the Magic in both overtime losses, from that missed Courtney Lee layup in Game 2 and those missed Dwight Howard free throws in Game 4.
So will the Magic respond with a spirited effort in Game 5 on Sunday night and extend the series, or will the Lakers bring yet another title back to Los Angeles (their fourth this decade)? Well, oddsmakers at WagerWeb.com opened the Magic as 3-point favorites for Sunday's game.
And was Game 4 really a surprise? The Lakers hadn't lost back-to-back games since late March.
There is some good news for Orlando. Mickael Pietrus put a two-handed shove into Pau Gasol's back in the final seconds of Game 4, but the NBA said it wouldn't take any further action against the guy who guards Kobe Bryant the majority of the time.
Pietrus' foul — the first flagrant foul of the NBA Finals — could have resulted in a suspension for Sunday's Game 5 in the worst-case scenario.
History is against Orlando to win this series. Of the eight teams that have come back from 3-1 series deficits in NBA playoff history, none have ever done so in a Finals.
"Just don't stop fighting. Never stop believing," Howard said. "There's no need to ever doubt yourself or your game. There's going to be games and times in our lives where we lose, where we have to bounce back."
If Orlando hit its free throws in Game 4, we are tied. But the Magic missed 15 of their 37 attempts and shot better from the field in Game 3 (.625) than they did from the free-throw line in Game 4 (.595).
It was also strange that Jameer Nelson played the final 18 minutes of Game 4, while Game 3 star Rafer Alston didn't see the court in the fourth quarter or overtime.
"I don't have an explanation," said Alston, who finished with 11 points on 5-for-13 shooting and 2 assists in 27 minutes. "I wasn't hurt. I was ready to go. I tried to stay ready. I sat there with about nine heat packs on me, but they all got cold. I was shocked, but that's the way the ball bounces."
In addition, Rashard Lewis disappeared for the second game this series, shooting just 2-for-10 from the field for six points.
Kobe Bryant had 32 points in Game 4 but shot just 11-for-31 from the field as the Magic swarmed him. If Orlando can hold Bryant to that type of percentage again, this series will go back to Los Angeles.
Despite all the mistakes, the Magic fairly well dominated Game 4. They led at the half 49-37, but then Trevor Ariza scored 13 of his 16 points in the third quarter on 5-of-6 shooting to push Los Angeles ahead 67-63. Ariza won't be rescuing the Lakers again.
It's human nature for the Lakers to have a bit of a letdown for Game 5 with three chances at winning the series. Look for the Magic to extend the Finals one more game.
NBA Betting at WagerWeb.com
Live Sports Odds at sportsbookadvisor.com
