Historic Comeback in Orlando

Orlando, FL—A shorthanded and depleted Orlando team overcame Miami yesterday evening in a Magic vs Heat showdown, in what was a historic comeback for Orlando. Behind Cole Anthony’s season-high 35 points, Orlando tied their largest comeback in franchise history to beat the Heat 121-114 after trailing by 25 points on Saturday night. 

Star-Studded Injury Report

Both teams came into tonight’s Magic vs Heat matchup with a laundry list of players on the injury report. Miami was without Jimmy Butler (illness), Josh Richardson (heel), and Kevin Love (personal reasons). Orlando was without Paolo Banchero (oblique), Franz Wagner (oblique), Gary Harris (hamstring), and Jalen Suggs (ankle). 

With both teams facing an immense number of injuries and understanding Orlando’s physicality, Miami’s Head Coach Erik Spoelstra talked pre-game about how his group would come into the game prepared to match that intensity level. 

“They [Orlando] have an identity. They’re going to defend regardless of who’s in and out of the lineup. We can expect this to be a very physical game. We’re gonna bring that kinda disposition, that kinda mentality into this. So this could be a throwback game. I don’t think this is gonna be one of those games played in the 180’s.”

Miami Makes an Early First-Half Statement

That statement couldn’t have been further from the truth as both teams combined for 235 points and Miami had an all-time collapse with a lackluster fourth quarter of this Magic vs Heat game. Orlando played well through the first few minutes of the game as Kentavious Caldwell-Pope chipped in seven quick points, you had a two-handed jam by Tristan da Silva, and Anthony Black was scoring inside early on, but it was very short-lived. 

Miami’s Tyler Herro came out playing with his hair on fire scoring 13 points in the first quarter, while also knocking down three shots from behind the arc. Herro propelled Miami to score 40 points in the first period of play. Jamahl Mosley spoke glowingly about Herro in the pre-game stating: 

“He’s just shooting from any and everywhere right now. And I think that’s one thing that you’re alert for and what he’s doing. I mean he’s shooting from the four-point line…But he’s finding different ways he’s getting steals, getting out on the break, shooting 10 threes a game and I think that’s a big piece.”

Orlando would trail Miami 40-28 after one period of play and for the remainder of the first half, it continued to go downhill from there for the Magic. Miami would open up the second quarter on a 14-4 run in the first five minutes which featured multiple baskets by Terry Rozier as he scored 12 of his 23 points in the second period alone. 

Magic Spiraling Out Of Control

Less than four minutes into the second quarter Jamahl Mosley received a technical foul, and just one minute later the Magic bench received another technical foul. And to top it all off, in the final four minutes of the first half, Wendell Carter Jr received a double technical and was ejected from the game after arguing with an official after what appeared to be an obvious missed goaltending call. 

Just when you thought things couldn’t get any worse Mortiz Wagner went down with a non-contact knee injury as he was on the ground moments later grabbing his left knee. Moe didn’t have the strength to walk off the court as both Jalen Suggs and Jonathan Isaac helped carry him back into the locker room. The team would later announce that Wagner sustained a left knee injury and would undergo further evaluation.

“I just gotta say one thing. Put some prayers out there for Moe Wagner,” Cole Anthony said of Moe Wagner’s injury. “You’re not going to meet a dude that works as hard as him, is as committed to the game as him. And just truly truly loves the game…We wanted to go get this win for him.”

Orlando was now without Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner, Jalen Suggs, Gary Harris, Wendell Carter Jr, and Moe Wagner at this point. The Magic would go into the halftime locker room down 76-56.

Second Half Adjustments

“One of our coaches said at halftime we’ll get it to 12,” Jamahl Mosley said of the halftime speech during Heat vs Magic. “It’s just about being able to recognize the moments and know that you don’t let it go too far away from you. And that’s what the conversation was at halftime…Can you separate yourself from that emotion, and focus on the game plan, and how hard we can play and how we can do it together.”

Orlando put forth one of the greatest second-half comebacks in team and NBA history as it was led by fifth-year guard Cole Anthony’s season high. After scoring just eight first-half points, Anthony ended up with a new season high and stepped up his game, scoring 27 in the second half playing like the rent was due for this historic comeback for Orlando. 

Cole scored 14 points in the third period to help keep the Magic afloat and within striking distance. Despite the Magic being down 22 points heading into the final period of play, this team continued to be resilient and found a way to defy the odds for an Orlando Magic historic comeback. 

Historic Numbers for Orlando

In the NBA with a lead of at least 22 points with 12 minutes left over the last five years, including the playoffs, there had been 796 such instances of a team winning all of those games. That record is now 796-1 as the Magic held the Heat to their worst-scoring quarter of the season, limiting them to eight points, and completing the 25-point historic comeback for Orlando. The last time a team trailed by 22 or more entering the fourth quarter and won was on Dec. 22, 2019, when the Toronto Raptors beat the Dallas Mavericks 110-107.

Heading into the fourth quarter the Magic would continue to play their tails off and make it a competitive game as they cut the deficit to within single digits after a 17-4 run with just over eight minutes left in the ball game. 

Cole Anthony Propels the Magic to Victory

Cole Anthony continued making plays all over the court shooting the ball with efficiency, setting up his teammates, pushing the ball in transition, and making winning plays everywhere. Adding in another 13 points in the fourth quarter, with big buckets down the stretch, Cole Anthony would finish with a game-high and season-high 35 points, making this historic comeback for Orlando possible.

“He was incredible tonight,” Mosley said of Cole Anthony’s season-high performance. “He hasn’t been playing great basketball and he will tell you that. And he never stopped working. He never stopped coming to the gym, he never stopped talking to the coaches, he doesn’t stop watching film.”

You cannot talk about the second half of this Orlando Magic historic comeback without the contributions of Trevelin Queen. The ability to stay ready on a two-way contract with both the Osceola and Orlando Magic, and to make winning plays down the stretch said everything about Trevelin and the coaching staff. In just under 18 minutes of play, Queen finished with seven points, two steals, and two blocks defensively to help the Magic take down the Heat. 

“Just the celebration of the fight that we all put forth,” Mosley said of the team after the win. “There was a little bit of shock because of all of the things that we had to overcome within this game. But then there was the relief of this what we’re capable of doing…It’s just a group that continues to fight, they continue to scrap, they continue to go no matter what’s happening.”

Final Numbers From Orlando’s Top Contributers

As mentioned, Cole Anthony’s season high was absolutely sensational yesterday evening finishing with a game-high 35 points while shooting 13 of 25 (52.0%) from the floor, 2 of 8 (25.0%) from deep, and he also chipped in nine assists during the historic comeback for Orlando. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope tied his season high with 24 points, and Goga Bitadze had yet another double-double with 18 points and 13 rebounds.

Orlando will now have to channel these emotions properly and build upon this Magic historic comeback momentum as they will play host to the reigning and defending NBA Champions in the Boston Celtics on Monday night at the Kia Center after a hard fought Magic vs Heat win.