March 4th, 2011 
Stephen Rhodes 
Posted in 
Jason Richardson
Comebacks in the National Basketball Association are relatively commonplace, with the difference being the size of the deficit before the inevitable rally and win.
Yet perhaps the biggest rally this season took place on Thursday night when the Orlando Magic came to Amercian Airlines Arena to take on the Miami Heat.
What would transpire would be considered a rally of epic proportions as the Magic were down by as many as 24 points in the third quarter.
That sizeable deficit apparently woke up Orlando as they rallied from the aforementioned 24-point deficit and would rally to edge Miami 99-96, stunning the 19,600 in attendance.
The first half was basically the Dwyane Wade and LeBron James (catfight, anyone?) Show as they combined for 47, compared to the Magic’s total of 45.
After his first miss of the game, James made nine straight shots and Wade went 10-for-12 from the field by halftime, sending Miami to their locker room up 63-45.
The third quarter didn’t seem to be any better as the Heat’s lead ballooned to 24. But then the Magic woke up.
Orlando rallied, closing the third with a 22-7 explosion and reduced their deficit to 80-71 heading into the fourth quarter. The Magic made four 3-pointers in the final 8:40 of the period – three of them by Jason Richardson.
The offensive onslaught by Orlando continued in the final period as they outscored Miami 28-16, sending them away from American Airlines Arena with the victory and the Miami Heat faithful home stunned.
Richardson led all Magic scorers with 24 points (including six 3-pointers), along with 3 rebounds and 2 assists while Jameer Nelson added 16 with a rebound and 7 assists. Ryan Anderson chipped in 15 (including three treys) with 5 rebounds, a steal and a block while Dwight Howard notched a double-double, scoring 14 with 18 rebounds, 5 assists and 5 blocks.
The Heat were led by James with 29 points, along with 6 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 blocks while Wade added 28 with 4 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 steals and a block. Chris Bosh chipped in 13 with 5 rebounds, an assist and 2 steals.
Both teams return to action on Friday night when Orlando (40-22) returns home to host the Chicago Bulls while Miami (43-18) flies to San Antonio to take on the Spurs.
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The only thing I would have liked were more hands in the face. But the Magic have shut Lebron out of the paint the last two games. Only a few people realize that Dwight does not allow anyone in the paint. What a performance by Dwight though. Realized that he was not gonna drop the big points last night, passed fantastic last night, shut the paint down, blocked, and grabbed 10 rebounds in the last quarter.