By Dylan Moran
The Magic were walking a fine line from the very start of the match - knowing they had to win to keep their playoff hopes alive.
But their defence stepped up in the first quarter as they took an 8 point lead into the break over the visiting Adelaide Thunderbirds.
A 5-point run got the Thunderbirds in striking distance of the Magic as the same play worked again and again – allowing them to take the lead for the first time. The Thunderbirds were up 26-23 at halftime, but the Magic fought back in the third.
The Magic narrowed the gap to one point, with veteran Casey Williams stepping up early in the final quarter.
As the two teams went toe-to-toe, the Magic were able to force mistakes to keep them close.
A three-point run tied the game with three minutes left, but with Irene Van Dyk not missing a single shot, the Magic won 49-48.
The Magic now haven't lost a game since April, in an 11-match winning streak, but another massive challenge looms as they play the Mystics in Auckland next week.
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