The Lakers Kobe Bryant, left, battles for possession with Magic guard Courtney Lee during the third quarter of Game 4 of the NBA final on Thursday night in Orlando. (John Raoux/Associated Press)The Los Angeles Lakers took a stranglehold on the NBA final following a 99-91 victory over the Magic Thursday night in Orlando, Fla.
Derek Fisher drained a three-pointer with 4.6 seconds remaining in regulation, then hit the go-ahead three with 31 seconds left in overtime.
Fisher, 34, is no stranger to playoff heroics.
During the 2004 playoffs, Fisher made an remarkable turnaround shot with only 0.4 seconds to defeat the San Antonio Spurs.
"It ranks right up there at the top," Fisher said of his shot againt the Magic. "You know, even greater than 0.4 because I feel like we're as close as possible to what our end goal is."
The Lakers, who won their second overtime of the final, take a 3-1 series lead with Game 5 set for Orlando Sunday night (8 p.m. ET) — a contest where Los Angeles can claim its 15th title.
Only the Boston Celtics (17) have more championships than the Lakers.
It was the first time since 1984, when Boston clashed with Los Angeles, that two NBA final games have gone into extra time.
Lakers star Kobe Bryant scored 32 points, while adding eight assists and seven rebounds.
Centre Dwight Howard led the way for Orlando with 16 points, 21 rebounds and a final-record nine blocked shots.
However, Howard, who went 6-for-14 from the free throw line, missed two critical attempts with 10.4 seconds remaining in regulation that would likely have sealed the game.
With the Magic leading by three at that point, Fisher raced down the court to hit a three-point shot over Orlando point guard Jameer Nelson.
The Lakers sealed the victory in overtime by outscoring Orlando 12-4.
"He's been there before," Bryant said of Fisher. "He has been there and done that.
"He just has supreme confidence and I think those shots at the end of the game are actually easier for him than the other ones."
