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1994–95 Orlando Magic season

The 1994–95 NBA season was the Magic's 6th season in the National Basketball Association.[1] After building through the draft in previous years, the Magic made themselves even stronger by signing free agents Horace Grant, who won three championships with the Chicago Bulls,[2][3][4][5] and Brian Shaw during the off-season.[6][7][8] The Magic got off to a fast start winning 22 of their first 27 games, then later holding a 37–10 record at the All-Star break.[9] Despite losing seven of their final eleven games in April, the Magic won the Atlantic Division with a 57–25 record.[10][11] They also finished with a 39–2 home record, tied for second best in NBA history.

Shaquille O'Neal continued to dominate the NBA with 29.3 points, 11.4 rebounds and 2.4 blocks per game, and was named to the All-NBA Second Team, while second-year star Penny Hardaway averaged 20.9 points, 7.2 assists and 1.7 steals per game, while being named to the All-NBA First Team, and Grant gave the Magic one of the most dominant starting lineups in the NBA, averaging 12.8 points and 9.7 rebounds per game, as he was named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team. In addition, Nick Anderson provided the team with 15.8 points and 1.6 steals per game, while three-point specialist Dennis Scott played a sixth man role, averaging 12.9 points per game off the bench, Donald Royal contributed 9.1 points and 4.0 rebounds per game as the team's starting small forward, and Shaw contributed 6.4 points and 5.2 assists per game off the bench.[12] O'Neal and Hardaway were both selected to play in the 1995 NBA All-Star Game, with head coach Brian Hill coaching the Eastern Conference.[13][14][15][16][17] O'Neal also finished in second place in Most Valuable Player voting, while Hardaway finished in tenth place,[18] and Scott finished in fifth place in Sixth Man of the Year voting.[19]

In the Eastern Conference First Round of the playoffs, the Magic overwhelmed the Boston Celtics with a 124–77 victory in Game 1.[20][21][22] Despite losing Game 2 at home, 99–92,[23][24][25] the Magic would eliminate the Celtics at the Boston Garden to win the series, 3–1; these matches would be the final two basketball games ever played at the Garden.[26][27][28][29] Coincidentially, O’Neal played his final game in Boston 16 years later with the 2010–11 Boston Celtics before retiring from the NBA at 39 years old.[11]

In the Eastern Conference Semi-finals, the Magic were matched up against the 5th-seeded Chicago Bulls; the Bulls were on an emotional high as Michael Jordan had just returned from his baseball career to play basketball.[30][31][32][33][34] Jordan was now wearing number 45 for the Bulls, as his number 23 jersey was retired. The Magic won the first game at home, 94–91.[35][36] Tensions rose when Anderson indicated that Jordan was no longer the same player when Anderson was quoted by the media saying, "No. 45 doesn't explode like No. 23 used to. No. 23, he could just blow by you. He took off like a space shuttle. No. 45, he revs up, but he really doesn't take off." The comment motivated Jordan to return to number 23 and the Bulls evened the series with a 104–94 road win in Game 2.[37][38][39][40][41] With the series tied at two games a piece, the Magic won Game 5 at home, 103–95.[42][43] The Magic would eliminate the Bulls in Game 6 as the Magic won, 108–102 to advance to the conference finals.[44][45][46][47]

In the Eastern Conference finals, the Magic would beat Reggie Miller, and the 2nd-seeded and Central Division champion Indiana Pacers in a tough 7-game series that saw the home team win every game.[48][49][50][51] The Magic were off to their first ever NBA Finals appearance.

In the Finals, the Magic faced off against the 6th-seeded and defending NBA champion Houston Rockets. Shaq would be up against Hakeem Olajuwon in a battle of All-Star Centers. Game 1 was played in Orlando and the game was lost at the free-throw line. Anderson missed four consecutive free throws with the Magic up by three at the waning seconds of the game and the Rockets tied the game at the buzzer. The Rockets would then win Game 1 in overtime, 120–118.[52][53][54][11] The Magic would not recover from their Game 1 loss as the Rockets swept the series in four straight.[55][56][57][58][59] Following the season, Anthony Avent was traded to the newly expansion Vancouver Grizzlies,[60][61] and Tree Rollins retired.

For the season, the Magic added new blue pinstripe road uniforms, while the black pinstripe jerseys became their alternate.[62] Both uniforms remained in use until 1998. Orlando did not make another appearance in the NBA Finals until 2009.

Draft picks

Roster

Regular season

Season standings

Record vs. opponents

Game log

Regular season

Playoffs

Player statistics

Season

Playoffs

[12]

Awards and honors

Transactions

Trades

Free agents

Player Transactions Citation:[63]

References

  1. ^ 1994-95 Orlando Magic
  2. ^ "PRO BASKETBALL; Grant Leaves the Bulls to Help Solidify Magic". The New York Times. Associated Press. July 30, 1994. Retrieved March 17, 2022.
  3. ^ Smith, Sam (July 30, 1994). "It's Magic - Orlando Signs Grant". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved July 1, 2022.
  4. ^ Cooper, Barry (September 20, 1994). "Wish Granted - Take 2". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved July 25, 2022.
  5. ^ Landman, Brian (September 20, 1994). "Grant Finally Member of Magic". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved January 29, 2023.
  6. ^ "SPORTS PEOPLE: BASKETBALL; Magic Signs Another Free Agent in Shaw". The New York Times. September 23, 1994. Retrieved October 13, 2021.
  7. ^ Cooper, Barry (September 23, 1994). "Shaw Signs with Magic". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved January 29, 2023.
  8. ^ "Eastern Conference". The Washington Post. November 4, 1994. Retrieved September 22, 2022.
  9. ^ "NBA Games Played on February 9, 1995". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved July 18, 2022.
  10. ^ "1994–95 Orlando Magic Schedule and Results". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
  11. ^ a b c Orlando Magic (1989-Present)
  12. ^ a b "1994–95 Orlando Magic Roster and Stats". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
  13. ^ Landman, Brian (February 11, 1995). "Will Shaq's Return Bring Double Trouble?". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved May 3, 2023.
  14. ^ Brown, Clifton (February 12, 1995). "BASKETBALL; Three Newest All-Stars Happy to Be at Party". The New York Times. Retrieved October 12, 2021.
  15. ^ Cotton, Anthony (February 12, 1995). "New-Age NBA Reaches for the Stars". The Washington Post. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
  16. ^ "1995 NBA All-Star Recap". NBA.com. NBA.com Staff. September 13, 2021. Retrieved May 17, 2023.
  17. ^ "1995 NBA All-Star Game: West 139, East 112". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved November 23, 2021.
  18. ^ Howard-Cooper, Scott (May 24, 1995). "It's a Slam Dunk: Robinson Wins MVP: Pro Basketball: Spurs' Center Receives 73 First-Place Votes to 12 for Magic's O'Neal". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 30, 2022.
  19. ^ "1994–95 NBA Awards Voting". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved January 2, 2022.
  20. ^ "1995 N.B.A. PLAYOFFS; Magic Buries a Bad Memory and Celtics". The New York Times. Associated Press. April 29, 1995. Retrieved January 14, 2022.
  21. ^ Winderman, Ira (April 29, 1995). "Celtics Are No Match; Magic Rolls to 47-Point Victory". Sun Sentinel. Retrieved October 8, 2022.
  22. ^ Landman, Brian (April 29, 1995). "Win 1 Is Magic Mauling". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved February 25, 2023.
  23. ^ "PRO BASKETBALL; Celtics Bounce Back and Head Home Even". The New York Times. Associated Press. May 1, 1995. Retrieved September 18, 2022.
  24. ^ "NBA PLAYOFFS: Celtics Dispel Magic, Now Come Ghosts". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. May 1, 1995. Retrieved October 8, 2022.
  25. ^ "Celtics Mystify Magic". Deseret News. Associated Press. May 1, 1995. Retrieved February 25, 2023.
  26. ^ "1995 N.B.A. PLAYOFFS; Grant and Magic Wrap Up Garden's Parquet". The New York Times. Associated Press. May 6, 1995. Retrieved September 18, 2022.
  27. ^ "Magic Finishes Off Celtics and the Garden: NBA Playoffs: Orlando Holds On for 95-92 Victory, Setting Up East Semifinal Against Chicago". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. May 6, 1995. Retrieved June 6, 2022.
  28. ^ Povtak, Tim (May 6, 1995). "Hardaway Learns Keys to Playoffs". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
  29. ^ "1995 NBA Eastern Conference First Round: Celtics vs. Magic". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved February 5, 2023.
  30. ^ Berkow, Ira (March 19, 1995). "PRO BASKETBALL; The Jordan Show Is Returning to the Air Today". The New York Times. Retrieved July 30, 2021.
  31. ^ Heisler, Mark (March 19, 1995). "Air Jordan's Return Flight Home: 'I'm Back': Sports: Fans Cheer as Chicago Bulls Announce End to Superstar's Retirement. Nike, Other Stocks Rose in What Was Dubbed '$2-Billion Rumor'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved June 7, 2022.
  32. ^ Aldridge, David (March 19, 1995). "'I'm Back'". The Washington Post. Retrieved January 29, 2023.
  33. ^ Papajohn, George (March 19, 1995). "Fans Roused from What Was, at Times, a Hoop Nightmare". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved July 25, 2022.
  34. ^ ""I'm Back": His Airness Makes It Official: He's Returning for Today's Game VS. Pacers". Deseret News. Associated Press. March 19, 1995. Retrieved April 7, 2023.
  35. ^ Wise, Mike (May 8, 1995). "1995 N.B.A. PLAYOFFS; Jordan Lets Game Slip from His Hands". The New York Times. Retrieved July 1, 2022.
  36. ^ Justice, Richard (May 8, 1995). "Jordan Lets One Get Away: NBA Playoffs: He Loses the Ball to Set Up Grant's Dunk in 94-91 Defeat by Magic". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 19, 2022.
  37. ^ Wise, Mike (May 11, 1995). "1995 N.B.A PLAYOFFS; Bulls Change the Numbers That Matter". The New York Times. Retrieved July 20, 2017.
  38. ^ Heisler, Mark (May 11, 1995). "Look, Up in the Sky, It's No. 23 Getting Even With Magic: NBA Playoffs: Jordan Changes Uniforms and Scores 38 Points to Lead Bulls to 104-94 Victory". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
  39. ^ Landman, Brian (May 11, 1995). "Jordan Finds Magic Number". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved June 21, 2023.
  40. ^ Justice, Richard (May 12, 1995). "Numbers Cruncher: Jordan, Bulls Fined". The Washington Post. Retrieved October 8, 2022.
  41. ^ Thomas, Mike (May 10, 2020). "Nick Anderson: "Michael Jordan in No. 45 Isn't the Same Michael Jordan in No. 23"". Sportscasting. Retrieved June 21, 2023.
  42. ^ Wise, Mike (May 18, 1995). "1995 N.B.A. PLAYOFFS; Orlando's Grant Is Giving His Former Teammates Fits". The New York Times. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
  43. ^ Heisler, Mark (May 17, 1995). "NBA PLAYOFFS: It's Double and Nothing for Bulls: Pro Basketball: Strategy of Ganging Up on O'Neal Backfires Again, as Grant Scores 24 to Lead Magic Past His Old Team, 103-95, for a 3-2 Lead in Eastern Semifinal". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 19, 2022.
  44. ^ Wise, Mike (May 19, 1995). "1995 N.B.A. PLAYOFFS; Bulls Burst in the Air as Magic Moves On". The New York Times. Retrieved June 25, 2021.
  45. ^ Heisler, Mark (May 19, 1995). "NBA PLAYOFFS: Orlando Walking on Air: Eastern Conference: Magic Scores Last 14 Points to Eliminate Bulls, 108-102. Flu-Bitten Jordan Can't Rally Team". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
  46. ^ Smith, Sam (May 19, 1995). "Bulls Vanish with a Whimper". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved June 6, 2022.
  47. ^ "1995 NBA Eastern Conference semifinals: Bulls vs. Magic". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved February 5, 2023.
  48. ^ Wise, Mike (June 5, 1995). "1995 N.B.A. PLAYOFFS; Do You Believe in the Magic? The Indiana Pacers Do". The New York Times. Retrieved October 13, 2017.
  49. ^ "NBA PLAYOFFS: In a Snap, Magic Makes Pacer Hopes Disappear: NBA Playoffs: O'Neal Scores 25 Points as Orlando Dominates Indiana in Second Half to Win Eastern Conference, 105-81". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. June 5, 1995. Retrieved November 19, 2022.
  50. ^ Adande, J.A. (June 5, 1995). "Magic Walks Over Pacers, Reaches the Final Step". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 6, 2022.
  51. ^ "1995 NBA Eastern Conference finals: Pacers vs. Magic". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved February 5, 2023.
  52. ^ Brown, Clifton (June 8, 1995). "1995 N.B.A. PLAYOFFS; Foul-Shot Follies Are Opening Act for Rocket Heroes". The New York Times. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
  53. ^ Howard-Cooper, Scott (June 8, 1995). "NBA FINALS: Magic Is Nicked in Close Shave: Game 1: Anderson Misses Four Crucial Free Throws, and Olajuwon Gives Rockets a 120-118 Overtime Victory After They Trailed by 20". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved April 7, 2023.
  54. ^ Schmitz, Brian (June 8, 1995). "Rockets Have Answer for Magic's Slogan". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved November 19, 2022.
  55. ^ Brown, Clifton (June 15, 1995). "1995 N.B.A. PLAYOFFS; Rockets Sweep to 2d Straight Championship". The New York Times. Retrieved October 13, 2017.
  56. ^ Howard-Cooper, Scott (June 15, 1995). "NBA FINALS: Two-Ring Circus Hits Houston: Pro Basketball: Olajuwon (who else?) Is MVP Again After Leading Rockets to Sweep of Magic". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
  57. ^ Justice, Richard (June 15, 1995). "Rockets' Sweep Finishes Magic Season". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 30, 2022.
  58. ^ Guest, Larry (June 15, 1995). "Magic Are the Main Entree at This Friendly Texas Barbecue". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved December 13, 2022.
  59. ^ "1995 NBA Finals: Rockets vs. Magic". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved February 5, 2023.
  60. ^ Romano, John (November 2, 1995). "Grizzlies Deal for Magic's Avent". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved September 16, 2022.
  61. ^ "Basketball Briefs". Deseret News. November 2, 1995. Retrieved January 29, 2023.
  62. ^ "Orlando Magic Uniform". Chris Creamer's Sports Logos Page - SportsLogos.Net. Retrieved July 7, 2021.
  63. ^ "1994–95 Orlando Magic Transactions". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved July 3, 2021.