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Orlando Magic Grades: Orlando Magic 116, Miami Heat 107

By Philip Rossman-Reich

ORLANDO, FL - OCTOBER 18: Jonathon Simmons #17 of the Orlando Magic shoots the ball during the game against the Miami Heat on October 18, 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 18: Jonathon Simmons #17 of the Orlando Magic shoots the ball during the game against the Miami Heat on October 18, 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 took down the Miami Heat in their regular season opener, holding off a fourth-quarter rally with some timely plays.

109. 110. Final. 116. 38

The Orlando Magic were clinging to the lead. Their once-17-point second-half lead had been cut to three points. Every fear for this Magic team was coming to fruition again. The Miami Heat used Hassan Whiteside to deter everything in the paint and bog down the Orlando Magic’s half-court offense. The Heat drove past a passive and frustrated perimeter defense still struggling to get all the defensive finer points down.

It had the makings of another collapse. The bench could not maintain the lead and the Heat were coming.

Orlando reloaded with its starters and relied on that group to finish things out. Just hold on and get the win.

The Magic turned to their most reliable offensive player. Evan Fournier came around a double screen for a 3-pointer and drained it to put the Magic up five. He did it again to set up a pick and roll for Nikola Vucevic to answer a Heat basket.

Then with Miami getting three chances to cut into the lead, Terrence Ross skied high for the block, setting the Magic up to score one final basket and put the nail in the coffin of a 116-109 opening night victory over the Heat at Amway Center.

For Orlando, it was the first opening night victory since the 2013 season — Jacque Vaughn‘s first game as head coach — and the first time the Magic are over .500 since January 2016.

For the Magic, this game was the exact kind of fast-paced play the team had been hoping for all preseason in many ways. But still, a game that showed a lot of their flaws.

In the second and third quarter, Orlando got itself going with energetic play off the bench and pushed the pace. The team’s defense tightened up as Miami had a tough time beating a collapsing and scrambling Orlando team.

The Magic started hitting shots and getting out in transition, getting strong performances from Elfrid Payton, Evan Fournier, Jonathon Simmons and D.J. Augustin. The Magic found offense when they absolutely needed it. But it certainly was not always there. Orlando had to grind the game out in the end, getting critical stops.

As the Heat pushed and got closer and closer to the lead, the Magic were getting noticeably tighter. Even the starters struggled to stem the tide. This is still a team trying to grow.

But Orlando made that growth Wednesday, getting the stops and the big shots to keep the pressure on and move to 1-0.

Evan Fournier is the undoubted hero of this game. The Orlando Magic were up two points with the game seemingly getting away from them and Fournier stepped up. He scored nine of his 23 points in the fourth quarter, making all four of his shots and dishing out two assists. He scored seven points in a two-minute span to keep the Magic up by two possessions and hold off the Heat.<p>Orlando needed points and the team turned to Fournier every time. And he delivered.</p><p>Fournier was still a bit shaky at times defensively. There may still be no getting around that. But in a finish that seemed panicked and frenzied — and an offense that sometimes feels like it is going off the rails, Fournier was a picture of calm for the Magic. He delivered for his team when they needed it most.</p>. G/F. Orlando Magic. EVAN FOURNIER. A-

Orlando Magic. JONATHON SIMMONS. B. Everyone was waiting to see how <a href=. G/F

C+. Everyone eagerly anticipated what <a href=. PF. Orlando Magic. AARON GORDON

B+. <a href=. G/F. Orlando Magic. TERRENCE ROSS

MIAMI HEAT. B-. The Miami Heat have to be a bit unhappy with how they played overall. They were sloppy defensively, letting the Orlando Magic push the pace and control the tempo for much of the game. <a href=. 0-1. 8th East

Next: Introducing the 2017-18 Orlando Magic

The Orlando Magic are in action next Friday as they head to Brooklyn to take on the Brooklyn Nets.