1994–95 Orlando Magic season

NBA season
team = Orlando Magic
misc = Atlantic Division Champions
Eastern Conference Champions
end_year = 1995
wins = 57
losses = 25
division = Atlantic
division_place = 1
conf_place = 1
coach = Brian Hill
arena = Amway Arena
owners =
television =
radio =
playoffs = NBA Finals (lost 4–0)
bbr_team = ORL

The 1994-95 season was Orlando's sixth in the NBA. After building through the draft in previous years, the Magic made themselves even stronger by signing free agent Horace Grant. Grant gave the Magic one of the most dominant starting lineups in the NBA. Shaquille O'Neal continued to dominate the NBA with 29.3 points per game. The Magic easily won the Atlantic Division with a 57-25 record. [ [http://www.sportsecyclopedia.com/nba/orlando/magic.html Orlando Magic (1989-Present) ] ] In the playoffs the Magic overwhelmed the Boston Celtics with a 124-77 victory in Game 1. The Magic would eliminate the Celtics in the Boston Garden. These matches would be the final 2 basketball games ever played at the Garden. [ [http://www.sportsecyclopedia.com/nba/orlando/magic.html Orlando Magic (1989-Present) ] ] In the second round, the Magic were matched up against the Chicago Bulls. The Bulls were on an emotional high as Michael Jordan had just returned from baseball career to play basketball. Jordan was now wearing the number 45 for the Bulls. The Magic won the first game 94-91. Tensions rose when Anfernee Hardaway indicated that Jordan was no longer the same player. The move motivated Jordan to return to number 23 and the Bulls evened the series. [ [http://www.sportsecyclopedia.com/nba/orlando/magic.html Orlando Magic (1989-Present) ] ] In Game 5, the Magic won the game 103-95. The Magic would eliminate the Bulls in Game 6 as the Magic won 108-102 to advance to the Conference Finals. In the Eastern Conference Finals, the Magic would beat the Indiana Pacers in a tough 7-game series that saw the home team win every game. [ [http://www.sportsecyclopedia.com/nba/orlando/magic.html Orlando Magic (1989-Present) ] ] In The Magic were off to their first ever NBA Finals. The Magic faced off against the 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. Nick Anderson missed free throws twice and the Rockets tied the game at the buzzer. The Rockets would then win Game 1 in overtime. [ [http://www.sportsecyclopedia.com/nba/orlando/magic.html Orlando Magic (1989-Present) ] ] In The Magic would not recover from their Game 1 loss as the Rockets swept the series in 4 straight.

Offseason

NBA Draft

eries Summary

"Rockets win series 4-0"

Awards and Honors

* Shaquille O’Neal, NBA Scoring Champion (2315 pts)
* Shaquille O’Neal, NBA Leader Points per Game (29.3)

References

* [http://www.databasebasketball.com/teams/teamyear.htm?yr=1994&tm=ORL&lg=N Orlando Magic on Database Basketball]
* [http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/ORL/1995.html Orlando Magic on Basketball Reference]