From the very beginning of the game, it was clear something was different for the Orlando Magic.
The energy and spirit that enraptured the team through 48 minutes and delivered a win over the Los Angeles Lakers the night before on the same (or similar) Staples Center floor. There just was nothing left in the reserves to do that again.
And perhaps the LA Clippers heeded the warning their arena mates failed to the night before.
The Magic could keep pace offensively for about half of the first quarter, leaving the game tied at 18 apiece.