Nail-Biting Clash: Orlando Magic Survives all out War with Heat

Domination in the Shaded Area is definitely Orlando Magic’s strength.

Aaron Gordon top score with 19 against Miami Heat 

Magic ousted the Miami Heat 93-88

Orlando awakened the scoreboard by a Terrence Ross' transition layup out of a steal from Dion Waiters.  Magic operated the inside well as they score their initial points in the paint. Meanwhile, Miami swiftly connected from the outside by Waiters and Rodney McGruder to counter Magic’s offensive stance but the inside crushing game of Orlando, lead by Jonathan Simmons ousted Heat at the first 12 minutes, 28-22.

Sticking with the initial sight of ignition – the outside shooting which worked well in the first, Miami cracked the scoreboard apart with a humongous 15 to nothing run. Josh Richardson and Wayne Ellington joined the deadly 3-point shootout to break away from the stunned Orlando, 40-31. The first half ended 54-49, a turned table in favor of the Miami Heat initiated by Waiters, Richardson and Whiteside which already are in double figures at the half.

Heat continued to threaten Orlando Magic by another run, 9-0 in at the early 3rd but they could not break through Magic’s reach as they operate a bit outside their comfort zone, shooting on the perimeter and from the outside with a perfectly augmented inside play. Gordon and Elfrid Payton kept their prey within striking distance 73-68.


The Jonathans

Magic’s Jonathans (Simmons and Isaac) dashed through at the very start of the final quarter, delivering baskets. Jonathan Isaac drew a crucial shooting foul committed by Justise Winslow beyond the arc and delivered all 3 free-throws successfully, taking a 4 point lead at 77-73. Josh Richardson sizzled and hammered down the ring plus another jam by James Johnson.

Out of nowhere, Arron Afflalo yielded 8 points in less than a minute, 2 long balls and one perimeter jumper to bag an 88-79 lead for Magic with less than 3 minutes to play.

Heat ain’t running out of steam yet, going head-to-head for an 8 to nothing run to bring the game to as close as being down only by a single point at 87-88 as the game approaches the last minute. Isaac makes a 10-point jumper, forcing Miami into a timeout to carefully sketch out the final 48 seconds.

Magic’s defense shaken up the Heat attack, Bam Adebayo was forced to take the shot and the crucial possession went to Orlando’s way by forcing Miami into a 24-second violation calling a timeout for the last 25 seconds of play.

Test of resistance to pressure, Walton fouled Kailin Lucas right after the inbound, Lucas completes the 2 free throws to push their lead to a 2 possession deficit. 

Orlando survived the all-out war against Miami, 93-90.


Scores:

Orlando – 93 
Gordon 19, Ross 11, Fournier 9, Payton 6, Vucevic 4, bench – 44

Miami – 9
Richardson 19, Waiters 17, Whiteside 17, McGruder 9, Olynyk 2, bench 19


(video courtesy of Rapid Highlights)

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