2008–09 Orlando Magic season
The 2008–09 Orlando Magic season was the 20th season of the franchise in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Led by 23-year-old center Dwight Howard, the team finished the regular season with a 59–23 record, the most wins since the 1995–96 season. The Magic would go on to defeat the Philadelphia 76ers in six games in the first round, highlighted by forward Hedo Türkoğlu's game winner in game four of the first round of the playoffs, then defeated the defending NBA champion Boston Celtics in a tough, hard-fought seven-game series in the semi-finals, and finally, defeated the top-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers in six games in the conference finals, thanks to all-star defensive player of the year center Dwight Howard's 40 points and 10 rebounds in Game 6, to advance to the NBA Finals for the first time since 1995, but would lose to the Kobe Bryant-led Los Angeles Lakers in five games.
| 2008–09 Orlando Magic season | |
|---|---|
Conference champions | |
Division champions | |
| Head coach | Stan Van Gundy |
| General manager | Otis Smith |
| President | Bob Vander Weide |
| Owner(s) | Richard DeVos |
| Arena | Amway Arena |
| Results | |
| Record | 59–23 (.720) |
| Place | Division: 1st (Southeast) Conference: 3rd (Eastern) |
| Playoff finish | NBA Finals (lost to Lakers 1–4) |
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com | |
| Local media | |
| Television | |
| Radio | WDBO |
Following the season, Türkoğlu was traded to the Toronto Raptors in a three-team deal and Rafer Alston, Tony Battie and Courtney Lee were all dealt to the New Jersey Nets. It was also Tyronn Lue’s last season as an NBA player, as 6 years later, he would return to the NBA, as head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers.