It won its 15th consecutive game by beating the City Rise Bombers 88-85, locking itself as firm favourite to take the Dunedin club basketball title.
The win was the narrowest of its streak, as it withstood a strong second-half performance from a Bombers side looking for its fifth win in a row.It trailed by four early in the fourth quarter, after a big third quarter from the Bombers.
At that point forward Josh Aitcheson took over for the Magic.
The Junior Tall Black poured in 17 points in the final quarter, showing aggression and his ability to get to the line to help the Magic halt the momentum swing.
He finished with 27 and was well-supported with Darcy Knox (15), Matt Dukes (11), Benoit Hayman (10) and Adam van Heezik (10), all reaching double-digits, and Richie Rodger adding nine.
That depth — virtually its entire roster is a scoring threat — is what has made the Magic so tough to cover all season.It was certainly that way in the first half, as everyone chipped in to take the Magic out to a 42-34 halftime lead.
In offensive transition it was tough to slow down and it held the Bombers to 13 points in the second quarter.
Two different teams came out for the third quarter.
The Bombers found their range and knocked down four three-pointers — two to Steve Robinson — and began to execute with more accuracy, while turnovers began to plague the Magic.
It became sloppy with the ball and signalled a momentum swing.
When the buzzer sounded for the end of the quarter, the Bombers led 63-61, following a 29-19 period.
The Bombers led early in the fourth quarter too, before Aitcheson helped the Magic edge in front.
It was never comfortable, though, and Henrie Njob-Anti hit two late three-pointers to keep the Bombers in touch.
He was fouled taking a third in corner with the score at 88-82 in the dying stages, and knocked down three free-throws to close the gap.
However, the Magic survived, closing the game out to keep its winning streak alive.
The Bombers had a well-balanced scoring performance themselves.
Robinson and Olly Smith top-scored with 17 each, while Njob-Anti had 15, Anton Hughes 15 and Matt Bardsley 12.
In other games, the St Kilda Saints toppled the Andy Bay Falcons 87-71 and Varsity hit a last-second shot to beat the Mid City Magic Lions 80-78.
Next week the Magic will meet the second-placed St Kilda Saints in the first round of the playoffs, the winner advancing directly to the final.
The Bombers will play the Falcons in the third v fourth game, the winner playing the loser of the Magic v Saints game for the other spot in the final.
