Fansided

T.J. McConnell downs the Orlando Magic with game-winner

By Chris Barnewall

Jan 11, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard T.J. McConnell (1) reacts after a score against the New York Knicks during the second half at Wells Fargo Center. The Philadelphia 76ers won 98-97. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 11, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard T.J. McConnell (1) reacts after a score against the New York Knicks during the second half at Wells Fargo Center. The Philadelphia 76ers won 98-97. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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T.J. McConnell is here to do two things: win games and chew bubblegum, and he’s all out of gum.

T.J. McConnell has done it again. The Philadelphia 76ers point guard has sneakily become a death sentence for NBA teams everywhere with his random great nights and clutch shotmaking. His latest victim? The Orlando Magic.

Orlando thought they had nothing to worry about with a sizable lead and time winding down late in the fourth quarter, but Philadelphia came charging right back. After a controversial call that resulted in a jump ball, the Sixers gained possession with time winding down. They didn’t have time to set up a play, so it was up to McConnell to save the game.

Before this point, McConnell had not had a great game with only six points to his name. However, in clutch time situations McConnell becomes a different basketball player. Embodying the spirit of Michael Jordan he dribbled into the lane, got past his man and raised up for a shot.

Down goes Orlando. McConnell put the Sixers into the lead and the Magic had no idea how to respond to the full-court press Philadelphia threw at them to end the game. An embarrassing loss for Orlando and an inspiring victory for the formerly hapless Sixers.

Of course, all credit has to go to McConnell here as he’s once again taken down an NBA foe with his late-game heroics. He might not be the most intimidating player on the floor, or even the best one for that matter, but when the mood strikes him he’ll ruin the day of anybody he crosses.

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So what’s the secret to his success? What exactly does T.J. McConnell do to strike fear into the hearts of NBA teams everywhere? Simple. He makes this face. It shows up in all of our nightmares and terrifies us all.