Luck can be thought of as what happens when preparation meets opportunity. In the case of Lakers point guard Derek Fisher, this pairing seems to occur often.

Even while playing with Kobe Bryant, the one player in the league most people would trust foremost with a game deciding shot, it has routinely been Fisher whose late-game heroics have saved Los Angeles’ playoff lives.

His has long been a career defined by his play in big game situations. He seemingly has always been at his best when the moment at hand was at its most dire. Recently, his play has been subpar at best, with his shot selection being much maligned and the point position consistently being referenced to as the Lakers key weakness.

For three quarters Thursday, this held true. But as the game reached a crescendo, it did not matter how he had been playing in the weeks and months before. The moment arrived and found him as it so often has before.

Though he has his an abundance of important, memorable shots in late game situations, given the setting of the game and of the series and the context of his recent struggles, it is difficult to recall a pair of more significant or decisive baskets in his career than the two he hit Thursday night.

Fisher’s long three-pointer to force overtime with 4.6 seconds left in regulation came as everyone in Amway Arena believed Bryant would have the last shot. Despite being 0-5 from long range so far throughout the game, Fisher saw the moment and defined it instead of the other way around.

In the spirit of Steve Kerr in 1997, or John Paxson in 1993, Fisher channeled other momentous shots from Finals past and delivered his own homage to luck and chance.

Then, whilst in the extra session, he drilled another prodigious three with 31.3 seconds to go that put the Lakers up for good.

Fisher did not do it alone of course. Bryant was exceptional for much of the game despite requiring a high volume of shots with which he needed to do his scoring; effectiveness aside though he still produced 32 points, 8 assists, and 7 rebounds.

Trevor Ariza also contributed a stellar performance, throwing up 16 points and 9 rebounds.

For Orlando and its fans, it will be difficult not to view this game as one that slipped away from them. The Magic were up 12 at halftime. They were up five with under a minute to play. They were up three, with Dwight Howard at the line ready to ice the game, with a mere 11.6 seconds to go.

Two missed free throws later and Fisher would be given his chance.

Howard continued to dazzle on the defensive end of the ball, blocking a Finals-record nine shots and collecting 21 rebounds (11 in the first quarter). But his offense left the crowd wanting: he had a very pedestrian 16 points and was woefully bad at the foul line (6-14) even beyond the misses that set up Fisher’s shot.

The Magic will now have to fight of their season Sunday night in Game 5.

The Lakers? They will be fighting to close out championship number 15 for the franchise, their first since 2002.

The team has only one person to thank for being in that situation, and perhaps surprisingly to most of us, he does not wear #24. Yes, Los Angeles is now one step from the Larry O’Brien trophy and they can thank a point guard whose game we have skewered and buried for the several weeks.

Shame on us for forgetting what Fisher is prone to do in these situations, and good on him for reminding us.

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