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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LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers
CLEVELAND – MAY 22: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers celebrates after making the game winning shot against the Orlando Magic in Game Two of the Eastern Conference Finals during the 2009 Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena on May 22, 2009 in Cleveland, Ohio. 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 Elsa/Getty Images) /

Orlando Magic’s top moments vs. LeBron James

3. Eastern Conference Finals Game 2

May 22, 2009

156. Final. 95. 38. 96

Coming off of a one-point defeat two nights previously, LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers tried to even the series against the underdog Orlando Magic, quickly surging in the first quarter to outpace Orlando by taking a 30-16 lead.

But as became the norm in this series, the Magic were able to claw their way back and stop the bleeding. Cleveland led by 12 points at the half behind James’ 17 points. Rashard Lewis picked up the offense with 10 points and Dwight Howard had eight points and 11 rebounds.

The intensity of the series really began to pick up as the Magic tightened the gap. The Cavaliers were desperate to get a win and avoid the 2-0 hole but kept finding it difficult to get their offense going against the Magic. It just came down to Orlando hitting its shots.

The Magic came back and increased that pressure on the Cavaliers.

Hedo Turkoglu, Rashard Lewis and Courtney Lee combined for 40 out of the Magic’s total 51 points in the second half. Dwight Howard finished with 10 points, 18 rebounds and two blocks.

For as many poor performances and Swiss cheese defense the Cavaliers have played against the Magic, they are still at home and have a top 4 player in the NBA and MVP in James to face.

There were only four lead changes in this game, all of them coming in the last six minutes of the fourth quarter. The Magic made its stand and made the big shots.

Turkoglu appeared to put the Magic up for good, hitting a pull-up jumper over Sasha Pavlovic that seemingly sent the Magic back to Orlando up 2-0.

Of course, that is not what happened. And the most replayed moment of this victorious series for the Magic occurred against them in a moment even coach Stan Van Gundy regrets.

With one second remaining, LeBron James got his “Michael Jordan” moment that all of TNT, the NBA and the world sees on repeat.

The Magic opted not to defend the inbounds and try to deny James at the top of the key. Turkoglu played him to go under the screen and cut to the basket. Instead, James popped up to the top of the key and hit a fairly uncontested three to give the Cavaliers a buzzer-beating win.