Magic 110, Mavericks 104: Orlando closes Dallas out in overtime despite blowing big lead

Opening up their post-All-Star break schedule, the Orlando Magic welcomed the Dallas Mavericks to the Amway Center for their lone visit of the season. Despite blowing an early 21 point lead, the Magic were able to show some fight, knocking off the Mavericks in overtime, 104-110.

Early on, the Magic looked much like the team that took the Eastern Conference by storm in December, picking the Mavs apart offensively, while shutting them down on the defensive end. After Victor Oladipo got the team going with a set of buckets, Nikola Vucevic took control, scoring 11 points in the opening quarter to lead all scorers. The Magic's ball movement was some of the best it's been in a while, with the team notching eight assists on 12 made field goals. The Magic gave up their fewest points in a quarter this season, holding the Mavs to 13 for a 31-13 lead after one.

The second quarter was a completely different for the Magic. Up by as many as 21 in the opening quarter, the wheels quickly fell off for the Magic, who saw the Mavs quickly cut the lead down to 10, thanks to hot three-point shooting. Not helping matters, Orlando's offense began regressing, with the ball not moving at the high rate it did in the first quarter, After seeing Dallas tie the game late in the quarter, the Magic finished the half strong, grabbing the lead back at 56-51 heading into the half.

Out of halftime, Orlando's collapse continued. Behind continued hot shooting from the Mavs, and poor, sloppy play from the Magic, Dallas was able to take control of the game, pushing the lead out to as many as 14 mid-way through the quarter. Orlando finished the quarter on a mini run, however, cutting the Mavs lead back down to nine by the end of the quarter. Despite the good finish, things still looked bleak for the Magic, who trailed 81-72 after three.

Looking for a spark, the Magic began to get that early in the fourth quarter from newcomers Brandon Jennings and Ersan Ilyasova. The duo acquired by the team on Tuesday knocked down shots, and made good, smart passes to find open teammates to help the Magic cut the Mavs lead down to three early in the quarter. After failing to tie or take the lead on a handful of possessions, Evan Fournier finished a driving layup to tie the game with 12.2 seconds remaining. Dallas missed a chance to win late, sending the game into overtime.

In overtime, the Magic got a big early three from Fournier to put them up two after Zaza Pachulia split a pair of three throws. Pachulia continued giving the Magic issues, however, throwing his body around for rebounds and getting fouls called on the Magic. After splitting misses, Chandler Parsons tied the game up with a pull up jumper. A pair of jumpers from Oladipo put the Magic up five with just over a minute to go.

Deron Williams led all scorers, finishing with 25. Parsons finished the night with 24, with J.J. Barea adding 15 off Dallas' bench. Charlie Villanueva and Dirk Nowitzki each finished with 11. Zaza Pachulia notched another double-double, finishing with 11 points and 19 rebounds.

Vucevic led the way for the Magic, finishing with 21. Jennings finished with 18 while Ilyasova scored 16 off the bench in their debuts. Victor Oladipo finished the night with 17 points and 11 rebounds, with Jason Smith adding 11 to round out Magic players in double figures.