The Orlando Magic have wanted this for a long time. Through an interminable rebuild, feeling the pressure of a playoff chase and playing meaningful games has been a little thing the team has learned to treasure in the last two years.
The Magic chased down the 7-seed in the Eastern Conference last year, finishing on a 22-9 kick to get to 42-40. Every game down the stretch had an intensity and pressure to it that was unmatched. Every game felt important and one little thing going right or wrong could have very well determined the Magic’s playoff fate.