There were a number of factors that played into the Orlando Magic's overtime win over the Memphis Grizzlies. Head coach Steve Clifford feels the home crowd may have been the deciding factor down the stretch.
The Magic crowded was unusually raucous throughout the overtime thriller. According to Mackenzie Thirkill of the team's official website, he credited the fan base for helping the team play with more energy:
“Tonight they got the first taste of what the Orlando fan base can do for a team. It used to be like that every night.”
There are very few home crowds that can dictate the pulse of an NBA game. It is safe to say that fans at the Amway Center are usually not known to be among them. Regardless, that changed when they played host to the Grizzlies.
There is no question that the Magic have endured their fair share of struggles in recent years. Fortunately, they have somehow found themselves in position to potentially make the playoffs for the first time since 2012. Fans have clearly become enamored with making their return to the postseason now that every game counts moving forward.
Clifford has seemingly started to see the shift in fan support in his first year on the job. Rallying the team's morale will go a long way into their attempts to rebuild a winning culture in Orlando. The Magic can help kickstart things by making the playoffs. They will have their work cut out trying to extend their four-game win streak against the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday.
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