In a rematch of last year's final, the Magic claimed an impressive 76-59 win over the St Kilda Saints on Saturday.
It was a win stemming from a slick defensive performance, condemning the defending champion to its first loss of the season.
The experienced duo of James Ross and Matt Gillan managed just eight points each, as the Magic contained both well.
It did a good job of shutting down Gillan in particular, arguably the league's most dangerous threat from the three-point line.
The Saints hit just three shots from beyond the arc, a telling factor for a team that is often so dangerous from deep.
Meanwhile, the Magic used its range of threats to take advantage down the other end.
Benoit Hayman top-scored with 19 points, while Josh Aitcheson added 14 and Richie Rodger had 12.
For much of the game it was a hard-fought encounter.
The Magic had the better start.
Two three-pointers to Aitcheson helped give it an early buffer, before the Saints clawed their way back to even things up.
A strong finish to the quarter had the Magic open the gap to 24-18, before the Saints again pulled it back to 33-31 late in the second.
A Matt Dukes triple and two inside baskets to James Scobie saw the Magic close the quarter better, giving it a 40-33 halftime lead.
The Saints were held to just 10 points in the third quarter, as Ross and Gillan were kept scoreless.
Mid City used that period to pull out to a 56-43 lead at the final break, before piling on a further 20 points to complete a dominant second half.
Earlier in the day the Andy Bay Falcons took a 34-15 first quarter lead which proved key in their 97-84 win over the Mid City Magic Lions.
Matt Bazsika and Alex Yarnall were a dominant force inside, managing 18 and 16 points respectively.
Hamish Robertson and Tom Davison threatened from the outside to add 19 and 20 respectively.
Micah Lepaio was key in helping get the Lions back into the game.
He poured in 31 points and was tough to contain both from the perimeter and at the hoop.
The City Rise Bombers joined the Falcons with two wins, doing enough to beat a winless Varsity team 71-68.
