The Orlando Magic came from behind and took advantage of several key mistakes to score a double-overtime win over the rival Miami Heat.
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | OT1 | OT2 | T | |
| Magic | 27 | 30 | 28 | 24 | 9 | 18 | 136 |
| Heat | 28 | 36 | 25 | 20 | 9 | 12 | 130 |
The Orlando Magic are still trying to figure out who exactly they are. For 11 games this year, the Magic had arguably the best defense in the entire NBA. Games like this one against the Miami Heat proves the inconsistency that lies within this team.
While the Magic are trying to find their stride, the team continues to win ugly while making the same mistakes defensively.
Trailing by five points in regulation, the Magic scored on three straight possessions, thanks to missed free throws from the Heat. They sent it to overtime on a wild runner off an offensive rebound.
Miami missed free throws in overtime too allowing Orlando to tie the game and send it to a second overtime.
From there, the Magic found their second wind. Their defense kicked in and the offense moved the ball. Jeff Green, Serge Ibaka and Evan Fournier hit key shots as the Magic came from behind for a 136-130 win over the Heat at American Airlines Arena on Tuesday.
For the majority of the game between the two Florida rivals, the Heat were able to dominate defensively. The Magic had to think twice about attempting shots at the basket anytime Whiteside was on the court.
Hassan Whiteside was a beast in the paint. He makes up for when the Miami Heat’s perimeter players get beat off the dribble with his defensive prowess and shot blocking.
Orlando began playing selfishly early on by forcing the issue in a more isolation style of basketball, which is not the strength of this Magic team. It actually has been the downfall and put the Magic down by as much as 12 points in the second quarter.
The defense was not as bad as it was during the season opener where the Magic gave up more than 70 points in the paint, but it was still bad defense. This is something the Magic should have figured out before Christmas week.
Nothing seemed to work early for the Magic, except for the lack of aggressive perimeter defense and the rise of the Heat’s 3-point percentage.
The Magic allowed the Heat to shoot 58 percent from the field and 70 percent from the 3-point line before halftime.
After halftime, the defense started to pick up steam as the Magic came out with a more focused effort. This was the beginning of the comeback.