The Miami Heat and the Orlando Magic meet in the final preseason game at the Amway Center in Orlando Fl. Miami walks out with a win 107-98 while the Magic lose three in a row. This was the last preseason game for the Orlando Magic, as they will start the regular season against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday, October 23rd. The Heat will travel back home to Miami and take on the Houston Rockets on Friday for their final preseason game.
The Orlando Magic look better
The Magic came out shooting better from the past two games, as Nikola Vucevic hit a couple shots right off the start. In the last couple games for the Magic, shooting has been an art that had left them. Although they shot only 40% from the field in the first quarter tonight, they still shot better than the last game and they looked like they were better prepared.
Vucevic and Evan Fournier getting back in the lineup just makes for a different Magic team. With 14 points for Vucevic and 16 points for Fournier, They are a steady force and a big chunk of scoring. Aaron Gorden looked good as he put in seven points with five boards. Coach Steve Clifford after the game had a few thoughts on how they played and the outlook for the team.
“Tonight was a lot better than the last two games, night and day better,” Clifford said. “In terms of how we played tonight, in terms of what we tried to do, it’s not even close. Against Philadelphia, we didn’t get any good shots. Watching that was hard to watch. This (game), the ideas were good.”
The defense looked sharp and was much more improved than Sunday against Philadelphia. Thursday they had 16 steals and six blocks overall. Although they had 22 turnovers, the defense also caused 22 turnovers. but room for improvement.
The Heat was on Fire
Justise Winslow hit a couple of quick shots to start the game. He was in the zone as he goes for seven points but more important were the 12 assists he dished out. They need that type of playmaker. and he showed he was capable to run an offense. Jimmy Butler used this time to come out and put on a show and after the game, Butler seemed pleased with his game;
“Some of my teammates were like, ‘How about you do what you’re supposed to do tonight, score some points finally?’ So I did that,” Butler said. He also seemed to like the physical play.
Butler ended the night with 23 points, six assists and six boards. The contribution from the Heat was plenty as Meyers Leonard had 10 points, Duncan Robinson came out with 17 and Kelly Olynyk contributed 14 points. It was a team effort as they also forced 22 turnovers. The defense looked good and locked in as they held the magic to under 100 points with 12 steals and five blocks.
The Rockets play Heat in their final preseason game Friday in Miami.
Rookie Tyler Herro showed his passion for the game as he got into a third-quarter confrontation with Michael Carter-Williams which lead to Carter-Williams being ejected. Herro ended the night with eight points but it was more the way he played, the passion and the toughness, something we know Pat Riley loves. The heat like they will be a good team that will make a run in the playoffs. How far? who knows, but they will be able to play with anyone.
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