The Orlando Magic were the more aggressive team and pushed the pace well against the Miami Heat. And that helped them earn a 112-109 win at Amway Center.
The Orlando Magic were heading toward another disaster against the Miami Heat. Elfrid Payton drove right into Hassan Whiteside and gave up a blocked shot that sparked a run out for Joe Johnson to tie the game with a corner three. We have seen that script countless times before.
Then it suddenly flipped. Evan Fournier came around a screen and patiently waited for Nikola Vucevic to come free, pulling the defense in with him. He fed it to Vucevic who dunked to give the Magic the lead again.
Then Orlando rallied and scrambled to choke off Miami’s last-second chance. Even after the Heat got an offensive rebound and a timeout, the Magic buckled down. On the ensuing inbound, Devyn Marble stepped in and recorded a steal to seal the Magic victory.
And what a relief it was to get the win. the defense was playing well but could not finish possessions giving up a ton of offensive rebounds.
But the Magic were the more aggressive and assertive team. They weaved their way through the Heat defense time and time again and the Heat were unable to stop them or keep them off the foul line.