Orlando Magic Daily
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5 games NBATV is missing from Sunday’s Orlando Magic Day

By Philip Rossman-Reich

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - 1993: Shaquille O'Neal #32 of the Orlando Magic goes up for a slam dunk against the New Jersey Nets during an NBA game at the Brendan Byrne Arena circa 1993 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. 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 1993 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - 1993: Shaquille O'Neal #32 of the Orlando Magic goes up for a slam dunk against the New Jersey Nets during an NBA game at the Brendan Byrne Arena circa 1993 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. 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 1993 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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1995 Eastern Conference Semifinals Game 1: vs. Chicago Bulls

Any time there is a full day of Orlando Magic games that does not include this classic game seems like a list made by someone who does not know the team’s history.

This is not only a fantastic game — decided by three points after Michael Jordan missed a 3-pointer at the buzzer — but it holds perhaps the greatest moment in Magic history.

With Orlando trailing by one point and less than 20 seconds remaining, Michael Jordan received the inbounds and brought the ball up the floor, hounded by Nick Anderson.

Magic fans know the rest of the story.

Jordan got past Anderson but slowed to take more time off while Anderson lurked behind him. Michael Jordan lost sight of where Nick Anderson was and looked over the wrong shoulder as Anderson tipped the ball away straight to Anfernee Hardaway.

Anfernee Hardaway led a two-on-one break, found Horace Grant and delivered the Magic the lead. Orlando won the game 94-91 and would win the series in six games.

NBATV will air Game 6 of that series, a come-from-behind victory for the Magic to advance to their first Eastern Conference Finals. And that indeed is one of the best games in Magic history. It deserves to air on any Magic Day.

But Game 1 of that series is a defining and indelible moment in Magic history. It overshadows everything else from that dream run through the Playoffs.

Anderson would go on in that Playoffs to have one of the biggest meltdowns in NBA history. No one in Orlando remembers that moment as much as they remember this moment. Anderson took down the greatest player of all time.

Aside from Michael Jordan protectionist conspiracy theories, the biggest problem with re-airing this game is perhaps the fact that NBC had to join the game in progress and nearly a quarter of the game is missing from the national broadcast.

This game came during the end of a NBA triple-header — on the same day as Reggie Miller‘s famous eight points, nine seconds game.

That still is not a real excuse not to air this game. It is the biggest moment in Magic history.