The Pistons-Magic rivalry has had its fair share of epic moments throughout the years. These two teams have faced off in memorable battles that have left fans on the edge of their seats. From heated playoff matchups to unforgettable individual performances, the Pistons and Magic have given us some truly epic moments on the basketball court. One of the most memorable moments in the Pistons-Magic rivalry came in the 2003-2004 NBA playoffs. The Pistons were the reigning champions, while the Magic were looking to make a statement in the Eastern Conference. The series went to seven games, with both teams refusing to back down.
The fight between Hayes and Wagner happened before the end of the first half and the Pistons had a sizeable lead at the time.
Ejections were almost inevitable after such a fracas and with several members from both teams involved, it took the officials a little time to decide who had to leave the game. The brawl, dubbed Malice at the Palace, during the 2004 season was one of the NBA s most infamous moments, in which a fight between the Pistons and the Indiana Pacers spilled into the crowd and saw the game finish early as spectators and players exchanged punches with order not being restored in the arena.
The series went to seven games, with both teams refusing to back down. In Game 7, Tracy McGrady put on a show for the Magic, scoring 47 points to give his team a chance to win. However, the Pistons held on and advanced to the next round, serving as a testament to their resilience.
Tracy McGrady’s best moments in Orlando
Tracy McGrady provided plenty of memorable moments during his four years in Orlando.
With T-Mac set to be inducted into the Magic Hall of Fame at Amway Center tonight, it’s an ideal time to reflect on his tenure with the Magic and debate our favorite moments, which we do below with YouTube videos of each.
McGrady joined the Magic in the summer of 2000 after playing second-fiddle to his cousin Vince Carter in Toronto. With a team to call his own, thanks in part to injuries to Grant Hill, McGrady blossomed into a superstar in Orlando.
In his first season in Orlando, at the age of 21, T-Mac averaged 26.8 points per game in the first of his four consecutive All-Star seasons while with the Magic. Having averaged 15.4 points per game during his final season in Toronto, McGrady’s increase in usage rate from one season to the next for a player who changed teams and used 20 percent of their team’s plays was at the time the largest since the NBA/ABA merger, according to Kevin Pelton of ESPN.
In each of his final two seasons in Orlando, McGrady led the league in scoring, averaging 32.1 points per game in 2002-2003 and 28.0 points in 2003-2004. McGrady’s average of 28.1 points per game while with the Magic remains the highest in franchise history. During that span, he also averaged 7.0 rebounds, 5.2 assists and 1.5 steals per game.
McGrady guided the Magic to the playoffs in each of his first three seasons with the team, but failed to advance past the first round (again, being without Grant Hill didn’t help).
During his four years in Orlando, McGrady became a fixture on highlight reels and generated some of the iconic performances and moments in franchise history.
Feel free to share your favorite T-Mac moment below. Members of OPP each picked and discussed some of theirs…
Mike Cali – McGrady and the 8 th seeded Magic against the Pistons
“Yes, I know they lost the series. But McGrady put the team on his back, had the top-seeded Pistons on the brink of elimination and generated an excitement in the arena that hadn’t been felt since the mid-90s. The Magic, despite having a starting lineup that featured the likes of Jacque Vaughn, Gordan Giricek, Drew Gooden and Andrew DeClercq, took a 3-1 series lead on the Pistons and were one win away from becoming (at the time) just the third eighth seed to upset the one seed. During the series, McGrady averaged 31.7 points, 6.7 rebounds and 4.7 assists per game and, had the Magic been able to win one of the final three games of the season, would have guided Orlando into the second round for the first time since Shaq left town.”
Here’s a look at T-Mac’s 43-point performance in Game 1.
Aaron Goldstone – McGrady’s 62-point game
“I was there. McGrady missed nine free throws! The team needed 110 points to get free Taco Bell quesadilla and they came up two points short! Greatest individual performance I’ve ever seen, but I still to this day eat Taco Bell and think McGrady. I was in college, I could have used that free food!”
Cory Hutson – T-mac’s 46-point, 13-assist, 10-rebound triple-double
“McGrady is rightfully known for his supernatural scoring talents, but he regularly showed how he was more than just a bucket-getter. Triple-doubles are the modern standard for an all-around performance, so it seemed appropriate to remember him for one of those.”
Garrett Townsend – McGrady’s self alley-oop at the 2002 All-Star Game
“I know he’s done this in real games before (most notably against the Raptors and the Celtics) and even at other All-Star games (’04), but I watched the 2002 game with a bunch of mates and, as the only Orlando fan in the group, when it happened I instantly became the coolest person in the room. That’s literally the only time my love for the Magic made such an outcome possible.”
Zach Oliver – McGrady’s in-game off-the-glass dunk
“The creativity of the dunk, and the fact that he did it, in traffic, mid-game makes it one of his best moments.”
Preston Ellis – McGrady’s 13-points in 33 seconds (We know it was for a different team but it was still awesome)
“I had never seen anything like it in my life. Even re-watching it to this day, I find myself believing he won’t manage to pull it off. As he expertly leans into Tim Duncan and manages the And-1 for his sixth and seventh points, you can see the realization take over in Duncan’s eyes. It was truly a moment that will never be duplicated.”
The Pistons managed to stay ahead during the second half, despite the ejections, and ended 121-101 winners with Alec Burks contributing 32 points and Saddiq Bey notching 28 points.
Another epic moment in the Pistons-Magic rivalry came in the 2009 playoffs. This time, it was Dwight Howard who stole the show. In Game 4 of the series, Howard had a monster game, recording 32 points, 17 rebounds, and 5 blocks. He dominated the paint and led his team to victory, tying the series at 2-2. This performance showcased Howard's dominance and added another chapter to the rivalry between these two teams. Individual performances aside, the Pistons and Magic have also been involved in some intense team battles. Their matchups are characterized by physical play, tough defense, and a never-say-die attitude. The energy and competitiveness displayed by both teams have created some unforgettable moments for fans of both franchises. Overall, the Pistons-Magic rivalry has had its fair share of epic moments. From Tracy McGrady's scoring outbursts to Dwight Howard's dominant performances, these two teams have given us plenty to remember. Whether it's in the regular season or the playoffs, the Pistons and Magic have consistently delivered thrilling matchups that have captivated basketball fans..
Reviews for "The Magic's Curse: How Orlando Struggled to Overcome the Pistons in the Playoffs"
1. Jane - 1/5 - I was really disappointed with "Pistons Magic Epic Moments". The footage was poorly edited and the transitions seemed amateurish. It lacked a cohesive narrative and failed to capture the excitement and magic of the Pistons. Instead, it felt like a random collection of low-quality clips. I would not recommend this DVD to any basketball fan looking for a well-produced and engaging documentary.
2. Mark - 2/5 - As a die-hard Pistons fan, I was excited to watch "Pistons Magic Epic Moments". However, I found the content to be lacking depth and substance. The documentary barely scratched the surface of the team's history and failed to explore the players' individual stories. Instead, it focused mainly on the team's highlights, which became repetitive after a while. I wish the filmmakers had invested more time into researching and telling a comprehensive story rather than relying on flashy editing.
3. Sarah - 2/5 - I was expecting "Pistons Magic Epic Moments" to be a thrilling tribute to the team's greatest moments, but it fell short of my expectations. While it did showcase some memorable plays, the overall pacing was off and it failed to build up any real tension or emotional connection. The lack of interviews or behind-the-scenes footage made it feel incomplete and superficial. I believe there are better documentaries out there that provide a more in-depth look at the Detroit Pistons and their magical moments.
4. David - 1/5 - I was severely let down by "Pistons Magic Epic Moments". The documentary lacked any real storytelling or context, making it difficult to fully appreciate the significance of the featured moments. The editing was choppy and the transitions were jarring, which made it hard to follow the narrative. It felt like a rushed and poorly executed project. Overall, it was a wasted opportunity to honor the legacy of the Pistons and failed to capture the magic it promised.