 "Photo: Associated Press")
The Orlando Magic are surprising fans during their run through the playoffs, and now students at UCF have gotten a rare treat: A chance to watch their home team host a game in the NBA Finals.
The opportunity has not come around often. When the Magic host Game 3 on Tuesday, it marks the 14-year anniversary of the last time a finals contest was held in Orlando.
The Magic played host to Houston Rockets in Game 2 of the 1995 Finals, losing 117-106 in what would be a four-game sweep for the Rockets
Although Orlando was not predicted to get past the second round of the playoffs, the Magic emerged as serious contenders after defeating the defending champion Boston Celtics in a grueling seven-game series. They then ousting LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers in six.
The Magic have caught attention of many students in the UCF community, some of whom have fully supported the team throughout the playoffs.
“I have been watching the Magic since I was a little kid,” said Matt Guidice, a sophomore psychology major. “It is great to finally see my favorite team get past the second round of the playoffs. Since I am now a student at UCF, it is oh so much sweeter to get to go to the games and watch my team advance to the NBA Finals.
“Even though the tickets are now at a high price, they are still worth going to. Go Magic!”
“I love the Magic,” said Shawna Rodriguez. “There is nothing better than to be able to see a professional basketball team play, especially when the arena is literally 10 minutes away from my apartment.
“I have gone to numerous games this season and have already been to a few playoff games as well. I really do not mind the price of playoff tickets, because, in the end, it is the memories that count.”
Purchasing tickets have gone to an all-time high for Magic fans.
One lower-level ticket to watch Orlando face the Los Angeles Lakers during a home game of the NBA Finals could cost up to $500, compared with $80-$90 for similar seats during the regular season.
They could now be bought from numerous Web sites just as StubHub, TicketMaster, and even OrlandoMagic.com, but beware, the prices will be sure to raise some eyebrows.
While the Magic’s ticket prices have sky-rocketed since the first round of the playoffs, freshman Melissa O’Neil was not dissuaded.
“I have two different jobs,” O’Neil said. “So, luckily, I have the money to actually go to my first ever NBA Finals game. I went to Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals, and my ticket cost $200, plus $10 dollars for parking.
“My suggestion is to get to the game as early as you can so that you do not have to worry about finding a parking spot.”
There are still plenty of chances to see the Magic if fans cannot afford a ticket to the game.
Fans are encouraged to go to Amway Arena for the Magic Watch party, a way to show fan support in huge numbers.
“Even if you do not have a ticket for the game,” sophomore Andrew Bassel said, “you should still come out to the Amway Arena and watch the game with all the Magic fans on the big screen, which is located by the back side of the arena.”
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