The top 10 games of the Orlando Magic’s 2021 season

Top 10 Orlando Magic Games of 2021 Season

4. The revenge game — at Chicago Bulls (April 14)

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Wendell Carter wants to impact winning with the Orlando Magic

From the moment the Orlando Magic completed their trades, the April 14 date in Chicago was circled on the calendar. The revenge game is a real thing for fans. It may not be that real for players. But it is hard not to get up for these kinds of games.

Wendell Carter certainly seemed to be up for the game. He scored 19 points and grabbed 12 rebounds in his return to Chicago. James Ennis had 22 points and Gary Harris and Michael Carter-Williams each scored 15.

The Magic would have plenty of games down the stretch where the young players took the front. This game was about the veterans. They wanted to prove they would be all right without Vucevic in the lineup.

For fans, there was nothing more cathartic too.

The Orlando Magic took a double-digit lead and like the first matchup with the Chicago Bulls, Zach LaVine nearly single-handedly brought them back into the game. But Orlando held on time and again. The Bulls ran out of time. And it was clear Chicago was still figuring its new group out while Orlando played on raw emotion.

Nikola Vucevic still had 29 points and 14 rebounds. It was not like he was not playing well and starting to fit in. The Bulls just had not figured out how to play together.

Orlando just had a lot more juice this game. There was a lot more motivation to pick up the win and take this important step for the group.

But it was a victory for the veterans. One of the few to end the season. Soon, many of those players would sit out for injury or give way to younger players on the roster. This was their last hurrah in many ways.

For fans, it was good to get this win and show some signs the Magic were going to be all right. Or at least, they hoped they would.