Magic is running out

The Magic watched another one slip away, as Derek Fisher drained two key three pointers to give the Lakers a 3-1 lead.

It was the 34-year-old Fisher, 0-5 to that point from 3-point range, who may have taken away any hope the Magic had to bringing home their first championship.

With a chance to give the Magic a two-possession lead with just under 12 seconds left, Dwight Howard missed two free throws, giving the Lakers a chance to tie the game.

Fisher did just that hitting a three with 4.6 seconds left and forcing overtime. He then drilled another key three with 31.3 seconds left overtime, as the Lakers beat the Magic 99-91.

Now Kobe Bryant, who finished with 32 points, is one game away from winning a championship without Shaq, something many thought he was not capable of.

It was Bryant who made Fisher's three possible, when he fouled Dwight Howard with just 11.1 seconds to go. Bryant somehow got superman to the ground as he was going up for an easy two points.

To Howard's credit, he was magnificent everywhere but at the free-throw line. He had 16 points, 21 rebounds and a finals-record nine blocks. But he made just 6 of 14 foul shots, and it was his two crucial misses that ultimately lost the Magic the game .

The Magic missed 15 foul shots in total, and blew a 12 point half-time lead. The confidence that they had in game 4 seemed to be non-existent in game 5.

Jameer Nelson virtually played the entire second half, and was responsible for marking Derek Fisher on the game tying 3-pointer. Nelson played off of Fisher, preparing for him to drive to the basket, but with just 4 seconds left it would seem as if a drive to the basket is exactly what the Magic wanted. Instead without hesitation, Fisher lined up for a wide open three, leaving Nelson in disbelief.

He shouldn't of been, in NBA finals history, only two players have made more 3s than Fisher's.

Van Gundy left many including myself shaking my head, as he left Nelson in the game for most of the second half. After Alston's marvelous performance in game 4, you would think Van Gundy would make sure he got his playing time.

Now one game away from elimination, Orlando's magic seems to be running out. Even with a win in game 5, they would have to travel back to Los Angeles and beat the Lakers twice.

The Magic may be able to force a game 6, but beyond that the Lakers should be able to wrap up their 15th NBA championship at home, if needed.