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

7. Eastern Conference Finals Turning Point

1995 Eastern Conference Finals Game 5 — 35 points, 13 rebounds

Shaquille O’Neal would one day go on to win championships and establish himself as one of the best players of all time. He had a lot to learn to get there.

The 1994 Playoffs loss to the Indiana Pacers in the first round was an important lesson for O’Neal. He was still fighting to get his place in the league. And this was his first test on a big stage. The Eastern Conference Finals was his first chance to win something real.

With the Magic and Pacers tied at two in the series, the Magic needed a big game to turn the series in their favor. They turned to their stars and they both delivered.

O’Neal more than most.

He was not happy after Game Four and was coming for blood — no matter if it was Rik Smits, Antonio Davis or Dale Davis — and when O’Neal came for blood he always delivered.

"“I feel sorry for whoever is guarding Shaq down in the post,” Hardaway told Susan Slusser of the Orlando Sentinel before Game Five. “He’s frustrated, he’s mad, and maybe a little embarrassed. But it couldn’t come at a better time – he’ll be an animal.”"

An angry Shaq was never a good thing for opponents at any time in his career. And O’Neal was angry with the series on the line in Orlando in this first run to the Finals.

If there was a game that was Shaq at his best in a moment when the Magic needed him the most, this was it. And he came through for his team in a big way.