The Orlando Magic made their first appearance in the NBA Finals in June of 1995. To get the championship Orlando won their debut playoff series when they defeated Boston in the first round. In the semis, they knocked out the Bulls and then beat the Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals. Unfortunately, they faced the experienced defending champion Houston Rockets in the Finals and fell to the repeat winners in a sweep.

The Orlando Magic franchise was established in 1989 but had already chosen their name before it was awarded. The name came from a "name-the-team" contest and refers to the 'Magic of Orlando.'