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For the 15th time in 30 years as a franchise and the first time in seven years, the Orlando Magic are in the NBA Playoffs. Orlando opens things north of the border as the seventh-seeded Magic visit the No. 2 seed Toronto Raptors in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals on Saturday.
The Magic are 12-13 all-time in Game 1. In the mix are a lot of unmemorable moments, but also some that will live in Magic lore. In an effort to remember the good times, here are the top five Game 1 moments in Orlando history:
5. Richardson's Go-Ahead Trey
(6) Orlando Magic 81, (3) Indiana Pacers 77
2012 Eastern Conference Quarterfinals -- April 28, 2012
With star center Dwight Howard on the shelf, expectations were pretty low for the Orlando Magic in the 2012 NBA Playoffs. The Magic opened the postseason at Indiana against the third-seeded Pacers, but refused to roll over. Orlando trailed by seven with less than five minutes to go, but scored the game's final 11 points to stun the Pacers in Game 1. It was a 3-pointer by Jason Richardson with just over a minute to play that ultimately put the Magic ahead for good. Indiana missed its last nine shots in the loss. Richardson and Jameer Nelson each led Orlando with 17 points in the win. Unfortunately for the Magic, they would go on to lose the series in five games and have not won a playoff game since.
4. McGrady Scores Magic Playoff Record 43 in Detroit
(8) Orlando Magic 99, (1) Detroit Pistons 94
2003 Eastern Conference Quarterfinals -- April 20, 2003
Although the sample size was small, the Orlando Magic had never defeated a No. 1 seed in any playoff game as they arrived at the Palace of Auburn Hills to open the 2003 NBA Playoffs. Superstar guard Tracy McGrady would see to it that that would change. On an efficient 15-for-28 shooting and 10-for-12 from the foul line, McGrady scored a then playoff record for Orlando with 43 points to lead the victory over the top-seeded Detroit Pistons. 17 of those points came in the fourth quarter to thwart the Detroit comeback. That franchise record would be short-lived as McGrady scored 46 in a Game 2 loss. The Magic would blow a 3-1 series lead and fall in seven games to Detroit.
3. Magic Rout Boston for First-Ever Playoff Win
(8) Boston Celtics 77, (1) Orlando Magic 124
1995 Eastern Conference Quarterfinals -- April 28, 1995
After getting swept by the Indiana Pacers in their first-ever playoff appearance in the 1994 NBA Playoffs, the Orlando Magic returned the following year as the top seed in the Eastern Conference. Matched up with the eighth-seeded Boston Celtics, Orlando would gets its first-ever playoff victory in emphatic fashion. Shaquille O'Neal finished with 23 points and 11 rebounds to lead eight Magic players in double figures. Nick Anderson added 20 points while Horace Grant recorded a double-double of his own with 15 points and a game-high 14 rebounds. Orlando shot 49 percent from the field and 9-for-17 from deep. Nearly a quarter century later, the 47-point victory is still the largest in franchise playoff history. The Magic would win the series in four games en route to their first NBA Finals appearance.
2. Lewis' Late 3 Sinks Cleveland
(3) Orlando Magic 107, (1) Cleveland Cavaliers 106
Eastern Conference Finals -- May 20, 2009
Fresh off a Game 7 win at Boston, the Orlando Magic arrived in Cleveland for their first Eastern Conference Finals appearance in 13 years. The Cavaliers, led by superstar LeBron James, owned the league's best record and had lost just twice all season at home. Early on, it looked like Orlando would be their next victim as the Magic fell behind by 15 at the break. The Magic were able to cut the lead to four after three quarters and take an early lead in the fourth, thanks to a 7-0 run, but found themselves on the short end of a 106-104 score after a 3-point play from James with 25 seconds left. On what would be Orlando's final possession, forward Rashard Lewis found himself isolated against Anderson Varejao, against whom he calmly buried a 3-pointer from near the top of the arc with less than 15 seconds remaining. After a Delonte West miss on the other end and a jump-ball, Mo Williams had a look at a jumper to win the game, but it went long. The thrilling win for Orlando would serve as the only road victory for either team in the series as the Magic topped Cleveland in six games to advance to the NBA Finals.
1. Nick Strips Jordan
(5) Chicago Bulls 91, (1) Orlando Magic 94
Eastern Conference Semifinals -- May 7, 1995
The Orlando Magic were the top seed in the Eastern Conference and were coming off their first playoff series win ever, but there was skepticism about their chances in the second round against the Chicago Bulls and a rejuvenated Michael Jordan. That skepticism seemed justified late in Game 1 as Chicago led 91-90 with less than a minute to play on an alley-oop to Scottie Pippen. After an Orlando turnover with 18 seconds to play gave possession to the Bulls, it looked like the Magic had no choice, but to foul. Guard Nick Anderson had other ideas. Jordan was able to break pressure and get the ball across midcourt, but did not seek Anderson lurking from behind. Anderson was able to knock the ball away from Jordan into the hands of Magic guard Anfernee Hardaway who found former Chicago forward Horace Grant for the go-ahead fast-break dunk with six seconds to play. That wouldn't be the final miscue for the legendary Jordan as his pass for Pippen on the next possession was off the mark and out of bounds with 1.5 seconds to play to help seal the Magic victory. Shaquille O'Neal led Orlando with 26 points and 12 rebounds in the victory. Anderson added 20 points, but the play that he'll be remembered for and arguably still the most iconic moment in Magic history, came on defense.
Mike Ferguson is the founder of Magic Memories. Follow Mike on Twitter @MikeWFerguson.
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