Orlando Magic Tickets

The first major league professional sports team in Orlando, the Orlando Magic is part of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Notable names and past players include Shaquille O'Neal, Patrick Ewing, Grant Hill, Dwight Howard, and Penny Hardaway. The Orlando Magic entered the NBA as an expansion franchise in 1989. A contest held by the Orlando Sentinel newspaper and Orlando Magic team officials gave the community the chance to pick the name of their new home team. From 4,296 suggestions, the final choices came down to the Heat, Tropics, Juice, and Magic.

Amway Center, Home to the Orlando Magic

Amway Center, built in 2010, is the state-of-the-art home of the Orlando Magic. The NBA team first played at the stadium in October 2010, when it won its game against the New Orleans Hornets. In addition to hosting the Magic, Amway Center is the site of the Orlando Predators' AFL games, music concerts, horse races, and a slew of other entertainment events. Fans at Amway Center can enjoy watching close-ups and replays on the nation's largest Jumbotron TV display.

Orlando Magic and the Eastern Conference

The Orlando Magic compete against the Miami Heat, Atlanta Hawks, Charlotte Bobcats, and Washington Wizards in the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference. While most of the competition in the Southeast Division is fierce, the Magic's primary rivalry is with the in-state Miami Heat. Since 1995, the Orlando Magic have won the division five times, which includes a three-peat in 2008, 2009, and 2010. Although the Magic won two conference titles, the team lost both trips to the NBA Finals to the Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Lakers.

Orlando Magic 2012 Team Outlook

The Orlando Magic is a franchise facing some hard questions about their best player: Dwight Howard. Once the Miami Heat and New York Knicks began acquiring pockets of superstars for the 2011 season, Howard seemed the next logical talent to flee his current team for bigger, better waters with a household name at his side. There is a possibility, however, that he will stay, in which case this Orlando Magic squad could repeat a 50-win season and work their way out of the Southeastern Division of the Eastern Conference back to the playoffs.