Instead of NYC, columnist Sam Smith believes LeBron may join Kobe Bryant in L.A.

With the Cleveland Cavaliers playing at the New York Knicks in Madison Square Garden tonight on ESPN (8 p.m.), it gives reason to discuss the possibility of LeBron James playing for the Knicks or the New Jersey Nets after this season.

James will be an unrestricted free agent after this season. Just for argument sake, check out Sam Smith’s column on the idea that James may head to Los Angeles to join Kobe Bryant and the Lakers.

Now, the question isn’t will or will he not go. It’s more of should he go.

My take?

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Dwight Howard and the Orlando Magic are back in this series.

The Orlando Magic are back in this thing.

After shooting an NBA Finals record 75 percent from the field in the first half, the Magic got a big defensive play late to beat the Los Angeles Lakers, 108-104, to win Game 3 Tuesday night in Orlando.

In winning its first ever game in the NBA Finals, Orlando shot a finals record 63 percent from the field for the entire game to pull within 2-1 in the series.

The biggest play of the game came with the Lakers down two, 104-102.

Kobe Bryant tried splitting a double team, but the NBA defensive player of the year, Dwight Howard, deflected the ball away from him with Mickael Pietrus defending Bryant.

Pau Gasol went the floor to get the ball, but instead of calling a time out, he tried to give the ball to Bryant.

Pietrus came in and took the ball, drew the foul and made two free throws to put Orlando up four, 106-102, with 28.7 seconds left in the game.

Game 4 is Thursday night in Orlando.

Courtney Lee knew it. He missed a chance to win Game 2 for the Orlando Magic.

Orlando had a chance.

A great chance.

Rookie guard Courtney Lee’s missed lay in off an alley-oop play could have given the Magic a Game 2 win at the buzzer Sunday night

Instead the Los Angeles Lakers were able to pull out the win in overtime, 101-96, to take a 2-0 series lead in the NBA Finals in Los Angeles. The Lakers made their final 14 free throws en route to winning Game 2.

With .06 seconds left in regulation, Orlando forward Hedo Turkoglu inbounded the ball to Lee on a perfect play call. Rashard Lewis freed up Lee by settting a screen on Kobe Bryant at the foul line.

Lee rolled to the basket and Turkoglu found him at the rim with a lob pass. The pass was slightly off as Lee caught it closer to the backboard than he’d like, but still Lee had a chance to lay the ball in off the glass even with Pau Gasol challenging the shot at the rim.

Game 3 is Tuesday night in Orlando.

The NBA Finals is here.

So to help preview the 7-game series (2-3-2 format) between the Los Angeles Lakers and Orlando Magic beginning tonight at 9 p.m. on ABC in Los Angeles, I talked with Erie BayHawks coach Ben McDonald about it. Check it McDonald’s series prediction and more. It was fun.