2001 Playoffs First Round Game 3 — Orlando Magic vs. Milwaukee Bucks (11:30 p.m.)
Tracy McGrady had several incredible Playoff performances throughout his Magic career. He was the guy carrying the team into the Playoffs and then taking his game up another notch in the Playoffs. He had an incredible 28.1 points per game in four regular seasons with the Magic and upped it to 32.0 points per game in his three Playoffs appearances in Orlando.
No Playoff performance might have been finer than this one against the hated Milwaukee Bucks.
McGrady scored 42 points, dished out 10 assists and grabbed eight rebounds in the 121-116 overtime victory over the Bucks, the only one in the series. McGrady was brilliant overall.
What is more amazing to remember was that this was his first real playoffs as the guy. This was the moment where McGrady truly became a superstar. Against a powerhouse Bucks team, he pushed them pretty hard. Even if the Magic team itself was not ready to come up with him.
March 10, 2004: Orlando Magic vs. Washington Wizards (5 p.m.)
There were few highlights during the 2004 season. And all of them had to do with Tracy McGrady. He was the only reason to watch the team.
And he will be the only reason to watch this game. Trust me when you see that five-minute segment NBATV will air where McGrady is not on the floor for the Magic.
McGrady dropped 62 points, still a franchise record, in the Magic’s 108-99 victory. McGrady went crazy and still jokes about his regrets of missing free throws that would have helped him get closer to 70 points. Really it was Gilbert Arenas who pushed Tracy McGrady to keep scoring. Arenas dropped 40-plus points himself and helped keep the game close for the Washington Wizards.
But really, the only reason to watch this game is Tracy McGrady. This was McGrady’s most brilliant scoring performance.