The third quarter started with Lakers committing two quick fouls in the first minute of the game, which told the Magic they would need to work hard for every point. The Magic tried to get back on the game but Odom drained back-to-back-to-back 3-point shots. The Lakers, led by Bryant, scored a difficult drive against Courtney Lee and Dwight Howard, and dealt an assist to Fisher for a jumper with five minutes remaining in the quarter, which gave the Lakers a 13-point lead. Two more free throws by Bryant with 3:31 remaining gave the Lakers their biggest lead of the game with 16 points. The quarter ended in favor of Lakers 61-76.
Gasol started the fourth quarter with a jumper to give the Lakers their biggest lead so far at 17 points. The Magic answered with three-point shots from JJ Redick and Jameer Nelson, but the Lakers, led by Kobe Bryant, just kept on scoring jumpers, layups and 3-point shots. The Lakers coasted to a 99-86 win, as they claimed the 2009 NBA Championship.
This has been a long road for the Kobe Bryant and the Lakers as they erased the bitter memory of the loss to Boston Celtics in 2008 and probably that of 2004 against the Detroit Pistons.
Kobe and Fisher were hugging each other moments after winning the title. Both of them joined Lakers on the same year and are the only two players who are part of the original championship team.
Congratulations to Kobe Bryant, Phil Jackson and the entire team as the Los Angeles Lakers are the 2009 NBA Champions.
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