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Orlando Magic NBA Playoffs: The top 10 Orlando Magic playoff performances

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Jan 20, 2017; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic CEO Alex Martins inducts Penny Hardaway into the Orlando Magic Hall of Fame during the first half against the Milwaukee Bucks at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 20, 2017; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic CEO Alex Martins inducts Penny Hardaway into the Orlando Magic Hall of Fame during the first half against the Milwaukee Bucks at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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10. Jason Richardson and the Travel Dance

2012 First Round Game 1 –17 points, 5/8 3FGs

There are plenty of other great individual scoring performances. Anfernee Hardaway, Nick Anderson, Shaquille O’Neal and even Darrell Armstrong had Playoff performances that far outpaced the meager 17 points Jason Richardson scored in Game One of the 2012 Playoffs. That does not even get into a pedestrian Tracy McGrady playoff performance — read: 30 points.

But, when we think of the gravity of a strong individual Playoff performance along with the amount a player scores, it is hard to see a game that was as shocking and astounding as this game. And the way Richardson finished it.

Among the great Magic “upset” victories, the Game One win over the Indiana Pacers is in the top five, if not the biggest upset victory. At least when the Magic defeated the Detroit Pistons in Game One of the 2003 First Round, they had Tracy McGrady.

Here Orlando was already without Dwight Howard. They famously banded together to defy the odds without their superstar player. They needed spunk and a little bit of luck.

Richardson provided that luck. He got hot at the exact right time and drained the big 3-pointer to deliver the Magic the upset victory. And then, of course, Danny Granger traveled.

The rest was dancing history.