Orlando Magic Daily
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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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Mohamed Bamba, Orlando Magic, Kelly Olynyk, Miami Heat
ORLANDO, FL – OCTOBER 17: Mohamed Bamba #5 of the Orlando Magic plays defense against Kelly Olynyk #9 of the Miami Heat during the game at Amway Center on October 17, 2018 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. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images) /

9. Opening Night

Oct. 17: Magic 104, Heat 101

Opening night always brings with it a certain amount of excitement. No one ever really knows what to expect and there is always the hope things will be different and better.

After six years out of the playoffs, fans still show up in droves for opening night to see if the team will bring something new. They usually can decipher pretty quickly if anything has changed.

A third straight year opening the season at home against the hated Miami Heat always supercharges the atmosphere too. The Magic certainly felt it.

The opening night game saw a lot of the same themes from years past, including the optimism that comes from the early season. Aaron Gordon scored 26 points and looked ready to take over the scoring load for the Magic. The team played with energy and verve.

In the third and fourth quarters, rookie Mohamed Bamba seemed to take over the game on his way to 13 points, seven rebounds and two blocks in his NBA debut. It looked like the future was on full display now.

Of course, things are never that easy. The Magic looked nervy down the stretch, giving up a late lead and giving the Heat a chance to tie the game on the final possession. But Josh Richardson stepped out of bounds thanks to some strong defense from Aaron Gordon. Orlando would survive. They would get to 1-0.

How the team might piece together in the next 81 games was still a mystery. The team would come back to earth and many of the initial storylines we thought we understood after that first game ended up not coming true. Who knew this would be Nikola Vucevic’s worst game of the season?

But this was a triumphant moment for the Magic. It was the beginning of something big.