The Orlando Magic had just replaced coach Brian Hill in the famous player coup allegedly led by Penny Hardaway. The season was very much in the balance.
But the Magic burned off six straight wins for new coach Richie Audubato. On March 2, 1997, Audubato lost his first game.
The Sonics, led by Gary Payton, went on for a 109-101 win. Ironically, Orlando was about to depart on a road trip that took them to Seattle first. They won that game two days later.
Payton dueled mostly with Hardaway in this one. "The Glove" had 20 of his 32 points in the second half. Orlando's All-Star, Penny, finished with 17 as the Magic shot a then-franchise-high 32 3-pointers to make up for the lack of defensive intensity -- an oddity in the early tenure of Audubato.
Nick Anderson had 20 including six 3-pointers and Dennis Scott added 17.
Orlando finished the 1997 season with 45 wins and were ousted in the first round of the playoffs by the Miami Heat.
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