"Magic PG Rafer Alston wasn't being chauffeured around Orlando in a limo just because he had a big game Tuesday night against the Lakers.

Alston has used a car service every day since he arrived in town from Houston.

He said his Florida driver's license was suspended after he was nabbed for speeding in New Jersey, bound for Atlantic City, and forgot to pay the ticket.

"I have three licenses. My Canadian license, my California license and my Florida license. My Florida license is suspended so they said I can not drive in Florida," he said.

If it's there ...

Alston once again finds himself being left open by the Lakers, a common theme for him throughout the postseason.

"It's almost embarrassing," he said. "I think that's the way I've taken it over the years. It's somewhat embarrassing that they're just going to keep leaving you open. ... Basically, a signal that, hey, that guy can't play, can't shoot."

A career .386 percent shooter, Alston torched the Lakers in Game 3 on 8-of-12 shooting for 20 points. His previous two games, however, he was 2-of-9 and 1-of-8.

The Magic shot a Finals record 62.5 percent in Game 3, but Alston said he and his teammates reminded each other in Wednesday's film session that the Lakers lost by only four points. L.A. also was hot, shooting 51.3 percent.

No charity case

Magic C Dwight Howard has been criticized for his poor work at the line the past five seasons, but he's making the Lakers pay for fouling him. A career 60-percent free-throw shooter, he has made 28-of-41 free throws in the series. It's progress.

"I understand the importance of trying to make free throws, especially coming down the stretch of a game," he said. "It's more mental than anything. When I'm thinking positive, when I get up there and just shoot, I tend to make more. And when I'm thinking too much, I tend to miss."

He said he has been putting in the time.

"Every day I try to get up at least 300 free throws," he said. "Me and a couple of my homeboys, we go to the gym at night, and I just shoot free throws.""