The Orlando Magic’s most memorable Christmas matchups
By S.W. Guest
3. Superman vs. Superman, 2010
Shortly after the Magic made a mega-trade involving Rashard Lewis, Vince Carter and a whole host of others, they found themselves up against the Boston Celtics, who had embarrassed them in the Eastern Conference Finals the season before.
The matchup between Dwight Howard and former Magic superstar Shaquille O’Neal drew all the headlines, but it was actually Orlando’s supporting cast that won it the game as the big men combined for a mere eight points.
Brandon Bass, on the other hand, exploded for 21 points and nine rebounds, while Jameer Nelson and J.J .Redick hit huge shots down the stretch.
It felt at that time a lost Magic team regained its championship identity, as Brian Serra of Howard the Dunk wrote at the time:
"Ladies and gentleman, your Orlando Magic are back. Yes, I said it… BACK. The Magic defeated the Boston Celtics today 86-78 in front of a raucous Christmas day crowd and showed heart and determination that has been deficient in Orlando since the 08-09 Finals team. A week ago, a month ago, a season ago, this team would not have been able to win this type of grind-it-out physical game, but today was a new day and the team responded. This Magic team had been owned by Boston lately and they took that to heart tonight. Gilbert Arenas noticed the difference and pointed out after the game that there was no joking around like usual and it was all business before the game. The team even had a late meeting before the game in the time that the locker room is normally open to the media. They took it seriously and it showed."
The win was one of 52 recorded that season prior to a first round play exit at the hands of the Atlanta Hawks.
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