The script played out exactly as it had countless times before.
The Orlando Magic raced out to a lead and seemed ready to turn the corner and climb out of this dastardly losing stretch. The team finally looked like itself.
Then they lost the lead, ceasing the defensive progress and sharp play that built the lead in the first place. In moments all that goodwill dissipated. And silly mistakes began to take in.
It did not matter at a certain point. The bottom line came into focus. The Magic were tied with 2.2 seconds left needing to inbound the ball and get a shot.