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Orlando Magic Grades: Orlando Magic 93, Miami Heat 90

By Philip Rossman-Reich

ORLANDO, FL - OCTOBER 7: Aaron Gordon #00 of the Orlando Magic dunks against the Miami Heat during a preseason game on October 8, 2017 at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL - OCTOBER 7: Aaron Gordon #00 of the Orlando Magic dunks against the Miami Heat during a preseason game on October 8, 2017 at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The Orlando Magic raced out to a fast start playing exactly how they want to play this season. They scrambled to recover after slowing down and scored a win.

Final. 93. 38. 90. 110

It was not quite old times for Arron Afflalo. But it sure felt like it. Just no one was sure if Arron Afflalo would have that kind of starring role again or flash enough of it to help his new old team.

Afflalo has been glowing about his return to the Orlando Magic and the place he really took off in his career. This was the place and the franchise where they gave him the ball and let him flirt with becoming an All-Star.

That Afflalo seems long gone. He may be able to reach into that treasure chest on occasion. And for one more night, he did just that.

Afflalo went on a personal 8-0 run to give the Orlando Magic a seven-point lead late in the fourth quarter against the Miami Heat on Saturday. He played 19:25 minutes and scored 10 points, all in the second half. He seemed to relish that moment in the spotlight again. He delivered too, with those familiar mid-post ups and turnaround fadeaways.

The Heat took the lead late thanks to some sloppy possession from the Magic. Jonathan Isaac put the Magic back on top thanks to a goaltend from Bam Adebayo and the Magic defense held firm from there in a 93-90 win at the Amway Center on Saturday.

The Magic looked strong at the start of the game playing a break-neck pace even, taking the ball in transition even after made baskets. The defense was swarming the Heat and feeding the team in transition. Orlando simply blitzed the Heat with this pace and caught them a bit off guard.

This might be a theme for the Magic through some of the early games as teams catch a glimpse of the Magic for the first time. It was the exact way coach Frank Vogel wants the Magic to play — a bit of controlled chaos as the team flowed naturally into its offense and kept the defense moving.

Miami adjusted and slowed the game down, taking as much as a 16-point lead. Orlando had to adjust as it struggled to find much consistency in the half court. It was a struggle for the team to get back.

But the team found a way, thanks to energetic plays from Jonathon Simmons, Khem Birch and Bismack Biyombo and then the final finishing scoring touch from Arron Afflalo.

The Magic faced their first bit of adversity this season and came through it about as well as they could. They still have a lot of work to do. But the work is easier with the way they responded and found a way.

A-. <a rel=. PF. Orlando Magic. AARON GORDON

B. The Orlando Magic signed <a target=. SG. Orlando Magic. JONATHON SIMMONS

Arron Afflalo will end up the hero of the game. He scored eight of his 10 points during a critical run for the Orlando Magic as they retook the lead from the Miami Heat in the second half. And he did it all in the ways the Magic will need him to score and get after the game.<p>Afflalo hit from the corner with a couple of 3-pointers. The Magic dumped the ball to him in the mid-post to let him work the younger guards on the block. His turnaround fadeaway jumper was a vintage Afflalo move.</p><p>The biggest takeaway from Afflalo is just how reliable and consistent he is. This is who Afflalo has always been. And that may be what the Magic are looking for off the bench, especially as <a rel=. G/F. Orlando Magic. ARRON AFFLALO. A+

Orlando Magic. JONATHAN ISAAC. B. It is easy to tell <a target=. PF

Next: Talking Southeast Division with Strictly Hoops Talk

The Orlando Magic are back in action Monday in Dallas against the Dallas Mavericks. They are expected to give some of their starters a rest for this game and the following game Tuesday against the San Antonio Spurs.