Orlando Magic Daily
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Top 10 Orlando Magic Moments vs. LeBron James

By Anthony Prodanovich

ORLANDO, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 27: LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers dribbles the ball against the Orlando Magic during the third quarter at Amway Center on December 27, 2022 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 Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 27: LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers dribbles the ball against the Orlando Magic during the third quarter at Amway Center on December 27, 2022 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 Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images) /
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Dwight Howard, Orlando Magic
MIAMI, FL – MARCH 03: Dwight Howard #12 of the Orlando Magic points to a heckler after winning a game against the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena on March 3, 2011 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 Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /

Orlando Magic’s top moments vs. LeBron James

5. Miami’s Big 2 Out Of 3 Can’t Close Out The Magic

March 3, 2011

110. Final. 99. 38. 96

As the Eastern Conference begins its unfortunate decade-long run of putting forward mediocre playoff competition, the Orlando Magic run out its final roster including Dwight Howard. The Magic struggled to measure up to the Miami Heat after they acquired LeBron James and Chris Bosh and the Heat dominated the decade.

The Magic though still posed a little bit of a challenge. And these were still two of the top teams in the conference as they battled even in the Magic’s late stages.

But in this March game, Orlando laid an absolute dud of an egg in the first half as Dwyane Wade and LeBron James put up 47 points combined. They shot 18 for 21 as the Heat took a 20-point lead into halftime. The only player for the Magic to put up double digits was Ryan Anderson with 13 points, shooting 3 for 6 from 3.

Orlando caught fire in the second half though, displaying the hot-and-cold nature of these Magic teams at the time.

As the second half unfolded Orlando put up 54 points and took a late-game lead in the fourth quarter to finish out the fumbling Miami team at its home.

Jason Richardson and Jameer Nelson led the scoring as the first half Wade-James combo combined for 10 in all the second shooting 3 for 13 as Wade missed every shot he took. Richardson and Nelson finished with 40 points. Richardson hit six of his eight 3-pointers.

Gilbert Arenas also provided a set of highlight moments on his way to 11 points on 3-for-5 shooting from deep. That included Arenas giving the Miami crowd a “You-can’t-see-me” or “I-can’t-feel-my-face” gesture as the Magic took the lead.

Dwight Howard finished with 14 points 18 rebounds and 5 blocks, with all of those blocks coming in the second half against all three members of the Big 3 and Mario Chalmers.