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Orlando Magic 2019 Season Review: What Went Right — Defending the Amway Center

By Philip Rossman-Reich

ORLANDO, FL - MARCH 25: Aaron Gordon #00 of the Orlando Magic is introduced prior to the game against the Philadelphia 76ers on March 25, 2019 at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL - MARCH 25: Aaron Gordon #00 of the Orlando Magic is introduced prior to the game against the Philadelphia 76ers on March 25, 2019 at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The Orlando Magic unlocked the power of their home court, re-energizing the Amway Center and turning it into a fortress for their playoff run.

There was a quiet buzz about the Orlando Magic growing. A long-dormant fan base was starting to take notice of what the team was doing as the All-Star Break passed and the playoff push became very real.

The Magic have had decent attendance — right in the middle of the league — during its long rebuild. This was a product of smart business marketing from the Magic more than anything else. Fans wanted a reason to get excited about the Magic, but the team rarely gave them a reason to jump on board.

Fans were starting to show up in bigger force at the Amway Center as the season wound into February. They needed a return on investment.

Against the struggling Memphis Grizzlies, the Orlando Magic . . . dropped the ball. They sleepwalked through the first half of the game and trailed by 17 in the third quarter. A late-season sweep to a team already destined for the lottery was not the encouragement the fans or the team needed at this point. That is not how you get a fan base on board.

But Magic fans do not quit. Give them a reason to cheer and they will lift you up.

As Terrence Ross started to fire up and get going and the Magic erased that deficit the crowd got louder and louder. The Magic’s confidence grew. They forced overtime and won the game.

Afterward, coach Steve Clifford started his press conference by saying it was the first time his team understood what Magic fans could do for them at the Amway Center. It was the first time they felt the playoff tension and atmosphere inside their building and how much a home crowd can lift them.

Orlando had already started to build a strong presence at the Amway Center. But a true home-court advantage was born on that day. Coming to the Amway Center was going to be tough for any opponent.

That game was the fourth in a five-game homestand the Magic swept to put them firmly in playoff position. That boost from the home crowd helped the Orlando Magic blow out opponents throughout that homestand, including in their next game against the Philadelphia 76ers. That momentum continued on the road when the Orlando Magic beat the Miami Heat in one of the most critical games of the season.

Orlando ended the season with a 25-16 home record, including a nine-game win streak to end the season. It was the final nine games that helped establish the Amway Center. The Magic swept a five-game homestand, the only time the Magic have ever swept a homestand of at least five games in franchise history.

Often, the Magic’s biggest wins have come away from home. That was not the case this year. The Magic gave fans plenty of memorable moments.

Among the teams the Orlando Magic beat in the Amway Center this year — the Toronto Raptors, Philadelphia 76ers (twice), Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Lakers (with LeBron James), Boston Celtics and Houston Rockets. They had two buzzer-beating wins when Evan Fournier beat the buzzer against the Cleveland Cavaliers in November and Detroit Pistons in December.

It is a fair observation to note the magic’s home dominance did not really come until after the All-Star Break. The Magic lost just one game at home after the break and that built the cushion for their record.

Early on in the year, Orlando had several disappointing home defeats. There were blowout losses like the one to the LA Clippers early in the season and crushing defeats to lowly teams like the Phoenix Suns. But they bounced back from all of that — just as they did the rest of the season.

Once Orlando found its footing this season, they turned the Amway Center into a fortress.

That culminated in two playoff games and a playoff atmosphere that surpassed anything the Magic have seen since moving into the Amway Center.

Fans flocked downtown for even away games and they brought energy and noise to the building throughout the playoffs. Fans were back on board with the Magic and embracing the team once again.

If not for the Magic’s overall poor play, the atmosphere would have been a lot better. Orlando just could not take advantage of the energy.

To a player, the Magic thanked the fans. They said the atmosphere inside the Amway Center surpassed their expectations. For a team that had been toiling and struggling to get to the postseason, that meant a lot to them. There was real disappointment they could not deliver one win at the Amway Center during the playoffs.

That will be something for them to fight for next year.

What the Magic will know heading into the season is what a real Magic crowd looks like. Now that the Magic have delivered something to cheer for, Magic fans are re-activated and re-energized. They should be back in full force on opening night in October.

dark. Next. What Went Right: Terrence Ross, The Human Torch

And one thing the Magic should be able to count on next year is good play at home. The Amway Center crowd should be there to lift them throughout the season now. And that could be the boost they need to make a second straight playoff appearance.