1- Derek Fisher Carries Lakers in Game 4 of 2009 NBA Finals
The Los Angeles Lakers held a 2-1 series lead over the Orlando Magic on the 2009 NBA Finals, but it seemed like the Magic would rally and tie the series up. The Magic held a lead in the final minutes of the game and all they had to do was make free-throws and turn the Finals in a competitive match-up.
Things were not looking good for the Lakers late and even Kobe Bryant was having trouble bringing the team back. However, just like before, the Lakers put the ball in Fisher’s hands and he delivered.
The Lakers faced a three-point deficit in the final seconds of the game, but Fisher pulled up from deep and hit the shot to force overtime. In the extra session, Fisher once again hit a big three and this time it gave the Lakers a lead and in the process wrapped up the victory.
Unlike the .4 shot against the Spurs or the Game 7 three-pointer, this set of clutch plays won the Lakers the game in the biggest stage of the league and gave them a commanding 3-1 lead in the NBA Finals.
The shot against the Spurs was in the second round in the same year the Lakers lost in the 2004 Finals. And although his performance against the Magic did not come with the pressures of a Game 7, he hit these two threes in the final seconds of the game, not at the six-minute mark.
There is not doubt the .4 shot is more famous and required a greater level of difficulty, but nothing compares to the pressure that comes during the final seconds in an NBA Finals game.
httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b4VtUlez2Gc
