5. Comeback for the ages
March 22: Magic 123, Grizzlies 119, OT
The Orlando Magic could not afford a loss here. They lost to the Memphis Grizzlies in a frustrating loss on the road. This late in the season, the team could not afford to lose games to teams at the bottom of the standings.
Orlando had taken care of its business during this homestand to that point. But the team was not playing with the same attention to detail they had before. The Magic were relying too much on their offense and allowing the Grizzlies free reign in their paint. This was not who they are.
Trailing by 17 points in the third quarter, it felt like a lot was lost. The momentum of the homestand and the bubbling crowd curious if this team had a playoff berth were all on the line.
And then the team started to rumble a bit. Terrence Ross started hitting shots and the team started to get itself going.
Suddenly the crowd was alive. And momentum built and built and built. Evan Fournier would hit a shot to force overtime and the Magic had to close down another deficit to win in overtime. It was a big moment.
After the game, coach Steve Clifford started his press conference by saying he told his team this was the first time they experienced what the Magic’s home crowd can do for them. It was the first time they played in a playoff atmosphere in the Amway Center.
For sure too, the Magic experienced the desperation they would need in the playoffs at the end of the day. Their lives were on the line and they rose to the challenge to get a critical and confidence-boosting win.