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| (Gary W. Green/Orlando Sentinel/MCT via Getty Images) |
Third-seeded Orlando had let an 18-point slip away in Game 1 at Amway Arena before winning Game 2 and dropping a heartbreaker in Game 3, 96-94. As the teams arrived for Game 4 at the Wachovia Center, all the pressure seemed to be on the Magic. In what would be a third nail-biter in four games, forward Hedo Turkoglu would ultimately deliver Orlando late in an 84-81 victory.
The contest couldn't have been more even in the first half. Neither team led by more than six in the first half or by more than four in the second quarter as the teams went to the locker room tied at 36.
With the help of a 13-2 run early in the third period, the Magic were able to take a 64-55 lead into the final quarter, but the 76ers came storming back. Philadelphia was never able to take the lead, but an 11-2 run spurred by Andre Miller and Andre Iguodala put the pressure back on Orlando. A dunk by Samuel Dalembert with less than 15 seconds to go tied the game at 81 and gave the Magic the final shot.
Forward Hedo Turkoglu was the only Magic player to touch the ball on the final possession. After a screen from Rashard Lewis, Turkoglu found himself matched up with Thaddeus Young beyond the 3-point arc. Turkoglu was able to use the dribble to keep the space before calmly knocking down a trey from the right side with a second to play.
Iguodala would get a desperation look on the other end after a Philadelphia timeout, but the shot was no good and the Magic prevailed. Orlando would win Game 5 back at Amway Arena before closing it out back in Philadelphia with a 114-89 victory despite being without suspended center Dwight Howard.
It was Howard who led Orlando in the Game 4 thriller with 18 points, 18 rebounds and three blocks. Turkoglu and Lewis each added 17. Guards Courtney Lee and Rafer Alston finished with 15 and 13 points, respectively. Miller finished with 17 points to lead six Philadelphia players in double figures.
The 2009 postseason would be filled with great moments as Orlando reached the NBA Finals for just the second time in franchise history. To get there, the Magic took down the top two seeds in the Eastern Conference in the Boston Celtics and Cleveland Cavaliers.
A decade later, it's fair to wonder if the Magic would have been able to make that run had it not been for the big shot by Turkoglu late in Game 4 of the first round. That big shot came on this very day 10 years ago.
Mike Ferguson is the founder of Magic Memories. Follow Mike on Twitter @MikeWFerguson.
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