Orlando Magic await the Sixth Man x-factor in Game 3

The Orlando Magic have waited for this moment. They are back at the Amway Center and eager to see Magic nation ignite for Game 3 of the playoffs.

The clock was ticking down and Kawhi Leonard was staring down the Orlando Magic’s defense. The crowd in the Scotiabank Arena was on pins and needles waiting for the result in this tie game.

At Wall Street in Downtown Orlando, the hundreds of fans gathered in the plaza might as well have been there, adding their energy and noise. They chanted “DE-FENSE” as if they were in the arena. When Marc Gasol‘s 3-pointer from the corner fell no good, there was the usual sigh of relief that comes after the opponent misses a big shot.

The gravy was still to come.

When D.J. Augustin‘s shot fell through the basket to give the Magic a Game 1 victory, the crowd erupted with noise. The celebration continued in the evening as fans in Magic apparel lingered downtown to celebrate.

When Game 2 began, it seemed even more fans had congregated to watch the Magic in the plaza. The excitement of the win brought more Magic fans to the fold. And even though the crowd was not as boisterous at the end of this game, their energy was impressive nonetheless.

The question then becomes: What will the Magic crowd do with the team at home in the Amway Center for a playoff game for the first time in seven years?

That is the question that has excited members of this Magic team since they qualified for the playoffs. Now the moment has finally come.

"“I’m excited to play at home,” Evan Fournier said. “I’m really looking forward to seeing what it will be like. Fans can give you a really good push. When you play with emotion, you tend to give more of yourself and play with more passion. It’s no secret having a homecourt advantage is huge and fans are a big part.”"

The Magic are certainly happy to be home.

They have not been home since April 5 when they destroyed the Atlanta Hawks 149-113. That game turned into something of a celebration of the team. No one knew then if the Magic would even make the playoffs. So that game took on a bit of a playoff atmosphere.

The Hawks were not ready for it. Orlando blitzed Atlanta from the start and scored a season-high in points. The game was over in the first quarter.

The crowd fully engaged in the game showed the Magic a bit of what they can do and the energy boost they can give. While Orlando has had some solid seasons with attendance at the Amway Center considering the team’s record, it had experienced nothing like this.

That was the case after the Orlando Magic made a 17-point second-half deficit disappear against the Memphis Grizzlies in late March. That was a turning point in the season. But once the Magic got going, the crowd lifted them up further.

Coach Steve Clifford said after the game that was the first time this team experienced what the Orlando crowd will do for them. It was clear they gave them that last little bit to get across the finish line in that game.

This Magic team though has no clue what the playoffs will bring them.

"“They can have a big effect,” D.J. Augustin said. “Their crowd had an effect in the last game. I know fans here are waiting for it and we’re ready to play in front of them. It’s going to be an exciting game. We’re just ready to get it on.”"

This is a game Magic fans have been waiting for in a long time. Orlando fans are buzzing about this team even on off days. The Magic are having a moment.

The Magic are certainly trying to take advantage. They revived the “Blue and White Ignite” playoff moniker from the 2008-12 playoff run. The team already laid down blue and white t-shirts on every seat in the Amway Center for Friday’s game.

The team also left a LED wristband on each seat as part of a pre-game show similar to the one they put on during opening night against the Miami Heat. Gina Marie Incandela will reprise her role from the 2009 Playoff run and sing the national anthem.

For those who cannot get a ticket into the game, they will have a LED video board outside the Amway Center for a watch part on the Church Street plaza — those plans might change depending on the weather as a storm is expected to move into Downtown Orlando just before tip-off.

The Magic saw what kind of effect a playoff crowd can have on the game in Game 2. The Toronto Raptors’ crowd brought a ton of energy to the game. As Toronto built up its lead early on in the game, the crowd got louder and pushed them further.

It is tough to battle back when the crowd is also bearing down on you.

Clifford was around the last time the Magic made a deep playoff run and believes the crowd can make a huge difference for the team if they bring the same energy. There is little reason to think they would not be able get the same kind of boost. Or that Magic fans will not bring it.

"“It can be a huge advantage for us,” Nikola Vucevic said. “Obviously especially at the start of the game, we can feed off their energy. It can really get us going and give us more energy and get us fired up. We expect them to be great. It’s on us to bring it as well and make it a fun night in the city of Orlando.”"

And that is going to be the rub of it too.

The crowd will almost certainly do its job. Magic fans have waited seven years for this game and have added plenty to the bandwagon for this postseason run. All are obviously welcome.

The team will have to give them a reason to cheer. A strong, energetic start could lift the crowd into early euphoria and bury the Raptors too far behind with too much momentum to make up.

A lackluster start or effort could leave the crowd sleepy and unable to muster the energy the Magic would need to get over the top. Ultimately, Orlando will go as far as their own play will take them.

"“It’s needed,” Augustin said. “But at the end of the day, we can’t rely on the crowd. We have to go out there and play how we’ve been playing, play the right way and play hard. We know the crowd is going to be crazy and we’re excited to play in front of those guys.”"

Magic fans will certainly bring it. It may be one of the most charged basketball atmospheres the Amway Center has ever seen.

If the team can match that effort, they should be in for an energetic game.