Throwback Thursday<\/a>. <\/p>\nToday, we take a trip down memory lane to the O-Rena, the site of Game 1 of the 1995 Eastern Conference Semifinals between the Chicago Bulls and Orlando Magic.<\/p>\n
The 1994-95 NBA season for the city of Orlando truly was magical. The Magic set a team-record 57 wins, clinched home court throughout the playoffs, and won their first playoff series, a matchup against the Boston Celtics. <\/p>\n
They were a fully loaded team led by a duo of young, talented stars in Penny and Shaq, surrounded by a strong supporting cast led by veteran forward, Horace Grant, and up and coming shooting guard, Nick Anderson.<\/p>\n
Originally from Chicago and member of Illinois\u2019 Fighting Illini men’s basketball team, Nick grew up idolizing Jordan. Now, he would finally get his chance to challenge his idol in the playoffs, on the biggest of stages. <\/p>\n
On this night, a classic playoff magic moment occurred that took the city of Orlando and the NBA world by storm. The Magic held a one-point lead with 15 seconds left in the 4th quarter. Coming out of a timeout, Jordan brought the ball upcourt, closely guarded by Anderson. MJ dribbled with one hand, then switched hands in order to lose his defender. As Jordan crossed half-court, he briefly lost sight of Anderson, who came in from behind and made what will forever be known as The Steal, poking the ball away from Jordan leading to a Penny assist off a Horace Grant dunk, sealing the Game 1 win.<\/p>\n