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Dwight Howard Full Series Highlights
2009 NBA Finals
Orlando Magic vs LA Lakers

- 15.4 ppg, 15.2r, 2.2a, 1.6s, 4.0b / 49% fg, 60% ft

Although 2010-11 was Dwight at his peak, no Magic squad during his 8 seasons in Orlando got further than the 2008-09 team did. Led by the 23 year-old Dwight, Hedo Turkoglu and Rashard Lewis, the ‘09 Magic finished 3rd amidst the Eastern Conference with 59 wins. En route to the Finals, they defeated Philadelphia in 6, the reigning champion Celtics in 7, and MVP LeBron James’ Cavs in 6.

Orlando fell short of their ultimate goal, but 2009 nonetheless proved to be Dwight’s breakout campaign. It seemed he’d elevated himself from all-star level to superstar status. The high point was likely in game 6 of the ECF, dropping 40 on the Cavaliers to clinch the Magic’s 2nd ever Finals birth. He struggled offensively against the Lakers, but this wasn’t necessarily a surprise. Without a legitimate sidekick at the PF/C spot, 6’10 Dwight was forced to battle two 7-footers (Bynum & Gasol) essentially on his own. No easy buckets were given, and lots of fouls were taken. The most notable of which surfaced with 11 seconds left in the 4th quarter of game 4. Nothing but “what ifs” regarding those two free throws.

Dwight’s season was filled with much individual accomplishment. He led the NBA in rebounds and blocks per game, becoming only the 5th player in league history to lead both categories in the same season. On November 12th of ‘08, he recorded his first and only career triple double with 30 points, 19 rebounds and 10 blocks. On February 17th, Dwight became the only player ever to post at least 45 and 19 with 8 blocks in a single game (blocks counted as official statistic starting in 1973-74). He made his 3rd straight All-Star appearance, was named to his 2nd consecutive All-NBA 1st Team, and claimed his 1st of 3 Defensive Player of the Year awards.

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