Downtown Orlando was buzzing after the Orlando Magic’s win Saturday, with fans celebrating in the streets and nearby events drawing crowds.
“News Six — listen, Magic in five,” another fan shouted.
Emotions ran high as fans packed the area after the Magic beat the Detroit Pistons in a game that came down to the wire.
“Man, that was a great win — a little scary there, a little scary there in the fourth quarter,” Magic fan Vinny Fazio said.
“We’ll get ’em Monday — Cade figured it out in the fourth quarter," Detroit Piston Fan Derek Chambers.
Even beyond the outcome, fans said playoff basketball changes the feel of the city.
“What makes a difference in Orlando when you have playoff basketball here? The enthusiasm, the fans — the entire city,” Jerome, who lives in Tampa, said.
Others said they were also enjoying Orlando outside the arena. “The weather — I’m from Detroit, so we don’t get much sun,” Chambers said.
Some fans headed to local restaurants and bars downtown, including the Vegan International Food Festival at Wall Street Plaza.
“When we do it on a weekend like this and we have so much other stuff going on, we can reach people who didn’t necessarily know about the festival — or who are open to eating healthier or trying veganism,” Jeremy Santos of Vegan Events Orlando said.
The festival came the same weekend as the Florida Puerto Rican Parade. “It brings everybody out to the city of Orlando to hopefully spend some money at local bars — and we have some local Puerto Rican vendors nearby that can also benefit,” Rafael Olivera-Cintron, who lives in Orlando, said.
The Magic host another game in Orlando on Monday.