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2018-19 Orlando Magic Season Review: Top 10 games of the season

By Philip Rossman-Reich

ORLANDO, FL - APRIL 5: Wes Iwundu #25 of the Orlando Magic reacts against the Atlanta Hawks on April 5, 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 Gary Bassing/NBAE via Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL - APRIL 5: Wes Iwundu #25 of the Orlando Magic reacts against the Atlanta Hawks on April 5, 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 Gary Bassing/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Nikola Vucevic, Orlando Magic
MIAMI, FLORIDA – MARCH 26: Nikola Vucevic #9 of the Orlando Magic celebrates a three pointer against the Miami Heat in the second half at American Airlines Arena on March 26, 2019 in Miami, 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. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

2. Putting the Heat to bed

March 26: Magic 104, Heat 99

In January, the Miami Heat came to the Amway Center and blew out the Orlando Magic. The Heat looked like they would be the team headed to the playoffs. If the Magic were going to right the ship, they already needed one date circled on their calendar. Their final game against the Miami Heat in late March.

The game would be for the season series and the tiebreaker between the teams. It had all the trappings of a playoff atmosphere too — Chris Bosh‘s jersey retirement ceremony was scheduled for that day. As the game got closer and closer, the enormity of the game quickly grew too.

The Heat were fighting to stay alive in the playoff race as much as the Magic were at this point. A win for Orlando would almost completely bury Miami and put Orlando in the driver’s seat entering the season’s final weeks. The Magic’s road ahead was still difficult, but this would give the team a little bit of cushion.

With all the hoopla and energy in the building, the Heat were able to blitz the Magic. They went up by 17 points in the first half. Orlando was looking dead in the water and a little overwhelmed by the road atmosphere.

The long halftime break to honor Bosh may have helped the Magic. The Heat sat and watched the franchise honor one of their all-time greats. The Magic got more time to prepare and focus on the game.

The second half was all Orlando. It felt like a rout from that point on and the Magic were able to rise to the occasion. It was far from the first time they looked like a playoff team. But on the road in a hostile environment in a game that mattered, the Magic stepped up to the plate.

Even with the Heat making one last run and Dwyane Wade trying his best to turn back the clock, the Magic closed the door. Whether it was Jonathan Isaac keeping his confidence or Terrence Ross draining shots or Nikola Vucevic keeping his consistency, the Magic had their big win.

They had their path to the playoffs in their own hands with an ace in the hole.