The Orlando Magic signed Jason Maxiell in free agency because they coveted his veteran presence, toughness, and defensive mentality. Whatever actual box-score statistics he contributes are bonuses. And in Wednesday's loss to the Miami Heat, the 30-year-old power forward made one of those contributions.
With less than a minute to play in the second period, Maxiell leaves Chris Andersen in order to help Arron Afflalo body LeBron James as the Heat star drives to the rim. Afflalo blocks the shot and sends James to the floor, but Maxiell is right there with the Orlando swingman. Andersen recovers the loose ball and tries to float a shot in, but Maxiell recovers and rejects the attempt at its apex, igniting a Magic fast break which ends when Mario Chalmers fouls Victor Oladipo in the open floor.
The block is Maxiell's eighth of the season, ranking him third behind potential airline employees Nik Vučević and Kyle O`Quinn, who have 10 rejections apiece.