The Orlando Magic were feeling that desperation as time ticked away. They had to buckle down on defense, but that was not the end problem they were facing.
It was that Boston Celtics defense.
That vaunted group has built a reputation as one of the best defenses in the league. Their guards hound and pressure opponents, poking and prodding them. Their versatility enables pretty much every player to switch on the floor. It becomes a tough cookie to crack.
The Magic were finding it increasingly hard to crack that defense. And with Isaiah Thomas driving hard to the rim at all points of the game, stressing the Magic defense and stretching it thin, the lead for the Celtics grew.