Orlando Magic Daily
Fansided

A look back at Tracy McGrady’s best performances with the Orlando Magic

By Ruben Badillo

ORLANDO, FL - DECEMBER 30: Tracy McGrady #1 of the Orlando Magic prepares to dunk on a breakaway during the game against the Washington Wizards at TD Waterhouse Centre on December 30, 2002 in Orlando, Florida. The Magic won 112-95. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2002 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE/Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL - DECEMBER 30: Tracy McGrady #1 of the Orlando Magic prepares to dunk on a breakaway during the game against the Washington Wizards at TD Waterhouse Centre on December 30, 2002 in Orlando, Florida. The Magic won 112-95. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2002 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 6
Next

Downing the Milwaukee Bucks in Playoff overtime

The Orlando Magic’s mini-rivalry with the Milwaukee Bucks in the early 2000s was incredibly one-sided. The Bucks were the veteran team hungry to contend and ready to burst through. Their 2000 defeat of the Heart and Hustle team got them into the Playoffs and put them on a path to contention. It sent the Magic to free agency.

Really the rivalry was more a personal one between George Karl and Doc Rivers, the coaches for the two teams at the time.

But the number of losses from the Bucks made the 2001 Playoff series between the two teams an emotional one. The seventh-seeded Magic were not a favorite to win the series. They were hoping to get a game. And facing a 2-0 deficit in the best-of-five series, they would need a superhuman performance from McGrady to get that lone game.

Luckily he delivered in what is perhaps his best Playoff performance in a Magic uniform.

McGrady scored 42 points, dished out 10 assists and grabbed eight rebounds in a 121-116 overtime victory to extend the series. McGrady played all 50 minutes in the game and carried the team to that cathartic victory. It felt like the Magic were back and ready to grow.

The fact the Magic lost a 14-point lead in the final five minutes but held on in overtime. It was a cathartic win that broke an 11-game losing streak to Milwaukee.

McGrady was writing his story in the postseason.