Orlando Magic Grades: Orlando Magic 136, Miami Heat 130
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.
Evan Fournier
SG, Orlando Magic
This is the Fournier the Magic need in order to be successful going forward. He is beginning to take a real leadership role offensively on this current squad. His confidence was on full display as he does not have to put the ball on the floor to make a shot, just catch and shoot.
Fournier scored 26 points on 11-for-22 shooting to lead the Magic. He added four assists to boot.
Fournier is becoming a more efficient scorer and playmaker off of the dribble too. He looks as if he knows what’s required of him considering how anemic the offense has looked at times this year.
Jeff Turner calls Fournier Mr. Clutch and he is starting to live up to his name as he is not scared to take big shots late in the fourth quarter. Vogel clearly wants the ball in his hands late in games. He hit a big 3-pointer in the second overtime to help the Magic put the game away and made several solid plays late for the Magic.
Elfrid Payton
PG, Orlando Magic
Payton seems as if he can get into the paint anytime he makes his mind up. He is great at slashing to the basket with the ball and is finishing at the rim more consistently.
Those driving skills were on full display tonight as the Heat had no answer for Payton while Whiteside caught his breath on the sidelines. Payton was in attack mode in Whiteside’s absence as he scored 13 points by halftime. He finished the game with 22 points and six assists, making eight of his 13 shots.
He is He’s young but does not seem to back down from some of the league’s best point guards.
Serge Ibaka
PF, Orlando Magic
At least not until the end when he had a big block late in the game in double overtime and a big 3-pointer and jumper to help the Magic pull away. Ibaka finished with 20 points and nine rebounds.
For the majority of the game, Ibaka was hard to find and that allowed the Heat’s guards to get into the paint and finish with confidence.
Vogel played Vucevic more at the power forward position probably because of the lack of defense from Ibaka, substituting offense for defense late.
Although Ibaka played the last minutes of the game and tied the game to force overtime, he was clearly not the same guy we are accustomed to seeing before overtime.
Aaron Gordon
F, Orlando Magic
This was a game where Gordon seemed to have a mismatch against the smaller perimeter players. Gordon was not able to get going consistently against the Miami perimeter players and began to get passive with his aggression attacking the basket.
Attacking the basket is Gordon’s best offensive attribute and he cannot afford to be passive. He needs to be catching lobs and running the fast break to get easy baskets.
Vogel may need to start putting Gordon back at the power forward and allow him to work in the post on offense. He is just too inconsistent and relaxed on the offensive end at the small forward.
Miami Heat
9-12, 13th East
Hassan Whiteside gives this team extreme confidence on the defensive side of the ball but it was a different story in overtime. The perimeter players get relaxed because they know they have an elite rim protector, if not the best rim protector in the NBA. The Magic were able to attack more than they should and their offense largely hummed well all game.
The Heat’s guards were knocking down the three ball at and the Heat fans should be proud of their effort. Career nights from Whiteside and Tyler Johnson, 32 points apiece, gave them every chance to win.
But the Heat struggled at home and should and should be ashamed of their performance particularly their free throw shooting in the overtime periods. They gave the game away at the end when it seemed they had it locked up.
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