The game began with some very hot shooting from Aaron Gordon. Most people never expected to read that statement in their life but the former Arizona Wildcat was shooting the lights out as he drained four straight jumpers and went on a personal 10-0 run. Both of his long bombs found the bottom of the net and his only misses in the quarter were a tough layup at the very beginning of the game and a few tip-ins on offensive rebounds before the ball finally found its way in the hoop. It was certainly visible how much work Gordon put in over the summer. At one point, the Clippers trailed, 16-2.
The game eventually turned into some sloppy basketball, and the Clippers found their way back into the game. By halftime, the deficit was only five with Orlando on top, 40-35.
The game remained tight through the second half, and with 20.8 seconds left in the game, the score was knotted up at 72 apiece. Elfrid Payton received the inbounds with 20 seconds left on the shot clock and it seemed as though he would drive or pass to one of the shooters on the floor. Payton was unable to do either as he was forced to chuck a 20-footer as the shot clock expired. The ball missed everything and a shot clock violation was called. The game was presumed over but the refs put 0.8 seconds back on the clock. A play was drawn to lob Liam McMorrow for the win, but he couldn't get a hand on the ball and it landed out of bounds. Once again, the game was presumed over but there was still 0.4 seconds left on the clock when the ball made contact with the floor, the Magic BLUE subbed in Jordan Morgan and tried to get Aaron Gordon open for a lob similar to the one in the play before but the Clippers shut it down and Morgan received the inbound for a heave at the buzzer. The shot was short and the game was finally sent into overtime.
Clippers sophomore guard C.J. Wilcox was the first to score in the overtime period with a strong drive leading to a floating layup. On the next play, Devyn Marble was fouled but he came up empty at the line. Nate Wolters tried to seal the game with a desperation triple with 40 seconds left in the game but it didn't fall.
Aaron Gordon grabbed the rebound and everyone knew what time it was. It was Hezonja Time. With 17.9 left on the clock, Mario Hezonja lined up a triple and gave the Magic the lead and essentially ended the game. Wilcox couldn't make a jumper on the other end and Gordon was fouled after a big rebound. The sophomore forward missed both free throws but it didn't matter. Marble stole the ball on the final play and ended the game.
The full box score can be viewed below (via nba.com):
