This matchup, taking place in the inaugural season after O'Neal's departure from Orlando, positioned Miami as the frontrunners for the series victory.

The game resulted in a dominant 35-point victory for Miami, marking the second-largest point differential in a win by any team during the 1997 playoffs.

However, Magic guard Penny Hardaway recorded an impressive 42 points and 8 rebounds to help Orlando comeback and secure a victory in Game 3.

Penny Hardaway became one of just two Orlando players to score 40 points in consecutive playoff games, alongside Tracy McGrady.

In the 2010 off season, the Miami Heat made headlines nearly every day after it was announced that LeBron James would sign with the team as a free agent.

Magic head coach Stan Van Gundy was one of the people that noticed the "extra" coverage the Heat had received.

Marcin Gortat said "Honestly, I'm sick of listening every hour about Miami—Miami that, how great they are, how big they are, what kind of record they gonna have."

[9] On March 6, 2013, LeBron James hit a left-handed game-winning layup with 3.2 seconds remaining to give Miami the win at home against Orlando.

[11] Coincidentally it was also the day the Miami Heat honored big-man Chris Bosh by retiring his #1 jersey, which occurred during the half-time period.

In the 2020 NBA All-Star Game, Derrick Jones Jr. of the Heat and Aaron Gordon of the Magic competed against each other in the final round of the Slam Dunk Contest.

[13] The three celebrity judges who gave Gordon a score of 9 were Chadwick Boseman, Scottie Pippen, and former Heat player, Dwyane Wade.

This sparked a lot of controversy in social media and the internet, considering Wade played alongside Jones Jr. the season prior, and due to the in-state rivalry.

Orlando played without their top three scorers: Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner, and Jalen Suggs, all sidelined due to injury.

However, a 13-point fourth quarter explosion by Magic guard Cole Anthony, along with crucial contributions from Goga Bitadze and Trevelin Queen, sparked a comeback.