Bryant scored two quick baskets in the overtime, and Howard tied it when he split two free throws with 1:27 remaining.
Orlando Magic guard Mickael Pietrus floats to the basket past Los Angeles Lakers guard Derek Fisher as Kobe Bryant (2nd L) and Trevor Ariza (L) watch in the second quarter of Game 4 of their NBA Finals basketball series in Orlando, Florida June 11, 2009. [Agencies]
On L.A.'s next trip, Ariza grabbed his own miss to get another 24 seconds and Fisher lined up and drilled his 3-pointer from the top of the key to make it 94-91.
As he retreated down court and Orlando called a timeout, the Lakers bench stormed onto the court and surrounded the popular 34-year-old Fisher, who came back to the team after a short stint in Utah.
The Lakers spent the first half in foul trouble, complaining to the officials and generally out of sorts. Ariza was given a technical for slamming the ball to the floor and coach Phil Jackson got T'd up for shouting something from his high chair on L.A.'s bench.
Appearing in their 30th finals, the Lakers acted more like first-time visitors to a city choked with tourists.
"Fakers!" yelled one Magic fan.
"Cry babies!" screamed another.
They came back a different team.
After going just 1 of 10 on 3-pointers in the opening half, the Lakers made three straight 3s - two by Ariza - to start the second half, and when Bynum made two free throws with 5:58 left in the quarter Los Angeles was up 55-54, its first lead since 8-7.
Odom dropped another 3, Orlando's J.J. Redick matched it and the Lakers forward made a layup to give Los Angeles a 63-61 lead.
On Orlando's next possession, Howard grabbed a rebound just outside the lane that Bryant wanted more. Reaching in, he tore the ball from Superman's powerful grip and then broke free from his Olympic teammate, who grabbed him around the waist.
Bryant, Fisher and the Lakers, shooting for redemption after losing to Boston in last year's finals, wouldn't be denied.
Comeback commandos in these playoffs, the Magic now must put together their biggest rally.
They've been rallying all spring. They twice trailed Philadelphia in the opening round before sending the 76ers off to summer camp. Then, they fell behind Boston 3-2 but stormed back and dethroned the defending champions in a Game 7 on the road.
Given little chance against Cleveland, they toppled King James in six games and wrecked the Kobe-LeBron dream finals.
They didn't come close to matching their record 63 percent shooting effort in Game 3 and now have to hope they can come up with something as remarkable before their act vanishes.