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The top 10 games of the Orlando Magic’s 2023 season

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Paolo Banchero has turned in a stellar rookie year. But the Orlando Magic need him to break through a rookie wall to make a postseason push. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Paolo Banchero has turned in a stellar rookie year. But the Orlando Magic need him to break through a rookie wall to make a postseason push. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports /
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PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – JANUARY 30: Moritz Wagner #21 of the Orlando Magic reacts during the fourth quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center on January 30, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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 Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – JANUARY 30: Moritz Wagner #21 of the Orlando Magic reacts during the fourth quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center on January 30, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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 Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images) /

Top 10 games of the Orlando Magic’s 2023 season

6. Comeback in Philly — at Philadelphia 76ers (Jan. 30)

38. 109. 93. Final. 119

NBA seasons are long. A lot is going to happen in the course of a year. Every team is going to blow somebody out just as they are going to suffer blowout losses. Every team is going to blow a big lead and lose just as they are going to come back and win.

The regular season is about finding the level. It is about finding what you are good at every night and riding the highs and lows from there.

The Magic had a lot of each. But one of the high water marks came in their comeback wins. They had their share of them. And many of them on the road.

A wild come-from-behind victory at the Houston Rockets early in the season showed what the Orlando Magic were capable of. But no win probably matched the excitement and energy of beating the Philadelphia 76ers on the road with all their star power — especially after the 76ers embarrassed the Magic at home over Thanksgiving with back-to-back blowout wins without Joel Embiid.

They had Joel Embiid and James Harden for this one. They took a 21-point lead in the second quarter. And the Magic had to work their way back into the game.

Paolo Banchero scored 29 points. Moe Wagner came off the bench for 22 points as he continued a run of strong bench performances as his role started to increase. Orlando scored 42 points in the third quarter to get back into the game and outscored Philadelphia 67-47.

The defense was the big reason why the team climbed back into this one. And that is such a difficult thing for young teams to understand.

Orlando had the sixth-best defensive rating at 113.0 points per 100 possessions after Dec. 7. This was a sign of how the Magic’s defense could keep them in games.

This was a landmark win and felt like it at the time too. The fact Orlando competed in the return match with Philadelphia a few days later — with a much angrier Embiid and Harden playing — was a sign the team was turning a corner where it could compete with everyone.