20 Years Later: Nick Anderson stole the ball

From Abrams again:

"Magic play-by-play announcer David Steele: The confidence really mushroomed after winning Game 1 against Chicago, when Nick Anderson stole the ball against Michael Jordan late in the game. That’s probably one of the great victories in franchise history."

"Magic head coach Brian Hill: As [Jordan] was coming over half court, Nick kind of got a little piece of it and it got away from him a little bit, and then [Anderson] got a little piece of it again and we ended up with a steal and a fast-break layup by Horace."

"Nick Anderson: I remember in that first game when we beat them, reporters made it seem like I said that 45 is not like 23. And then the next game, he came out wearing no. 23. He was sending a message that he was still no. 23."

Abrams notes the actual quote was: “Here is the actual postgame quote from Anderson: “Number 23, he could just blow right by you. Number 45, he revs up, but doesn’t really take off.'”

Jordan definitely was not the same. Whether that was because of the wrist or him still getting into basketball shape, we will never know.

Seriously, the Magic had control for most of the game. But the Bulls did not play their best game either. They were a bit out of sync and still trying to figure out how to play together against a solid defensive team.

Orlando definitely had some of that youth streak in it though. The team had a chance to put the clamps down up eight early in the fourth quarter, but turned the ball over and struggled to shoot.

This was going to be a great series.

But the moment at the end of Game One was the one that would define the series and become legendary to Magic fans.

Next: What we learned from the oral history of the 1995 Magic