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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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Aaron Gordon, Orlando Magic, Houston Rockets
ORLANDO, FL – JANUARY 13: Aaron Gordon #00 of the Orlando Magic shoots the ball against the Houston Rockets on January 13, 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) /

6. Weekend at home

Jan. 12: Magic 105, Celtics 103
Jan. 13: Magic 116, Rockets 109

Home back-to-backs are rare in the NBA. The Orlando Magic had three of them this season. But none seemed more daunting than the one the team faced in early January.

After going on a five-game road trip to the West Coast — going 1-5 with double-digit leads in three of those losses — the team returned home to face the Boston Celtics and Houston Rockets. On paper, that looked extremely daunting. This weekend had a chance to be the final nail in the coffin for the Magic’s season.

Orlando Magic
Orlando Magic /

Orlando Magic

Instead, it became something of a turning point. The team dug deep and delivered two memorable performances.

David Steele and Jeff Turner on the FOX Sports Florida telecasts would often point to this weekend pair of wins as the turning point in the season. That was the first time Orlando had to make a stand to save its season.

Neither of these games was perfectly clean. The Magic took a big lead late in the win over the Celtics only to see Kyrie Irving lead the team back. Orlando’s win was more relief than anything else as the offense faltered. The game became more famous for Kyrie Irving yelling on the court at Gordon Hayward for not getting him the ball for the final shot.

The loss was emblematic of all the problems the Celtics experienced throughout the season. The Magic just had their number.

The win over the Rockets was something much more impressive.

James Harden had an incredible game, scoring 38 points, dishing out 12 assists and grabbing nine rebounds. Austin Rivers returned home and scored 25. That all feels like the formula for the Rockets to win.

But the Magic erased a 10-point deficit in the fourth quarter and found a way to win. This may not have been the true turning point in the season, but it was a big moment. It was a big moment where the Magic began to believe they could win any game and beat any opponent.

After this weekend, the playoffs were very clearly a possibility for this team. As the Magic tried to change their culture, they needed to realize they were this good. Here was proof positive.