The problem is that no other team in the NBA and maybe in all of sports can match the Magic's recent record of being cruelly abandoned by star players.
It could be that one little bit of magic will win the match, and obviously the onus is on Liverpool to produce that as they have got to go and score to stay in the tie.
Hook, once again struggling with the boot, should have slotted over a three-point attempt early in the second half but it was quickly forgotten as veteran wing Shane Williams, playing in the final World Cup match of his career, produced a moment of magic in the 49th minute.