The Orlando Magic had saved themselves for a moment against the Miami Heat. Halftime momentum was on their side and they had righted the ship after their defense looked shaky for much of the first half. They erased a 16-point deficit and gave themselves a chance at a six-point margin.
All Orlando had to do was lock in and play with some energy. The team could use its defense to feed its offense. It would come down to making shots, of course. But the Magic had put themselves back in the fight.
Very early into the third quarter, it was abundantly clear the Magic were not going to take that step.