It was November and the Orlando Magic were still getting their feet under them. They were still trying to find out who they were and the roles players would play. Their identity was still as uncertain as their future. There was no inkling of a playoff push, just a feeling out process of new coach and new players.
Nothing was sure and the team needed a spark. They needed confidence, perhaps some irrational confidence. This was one of their first late-game challenges.
In a tie game against the vaunted Philadelphia 76ers, after Jonathan Isaac blocked Joel Embiid and Nikola Vucevic scored 30 points, the Orlando Magic needed a big shot.