In a showdown in the Sunshine State, two Southeast Division teams square off in search of a blowout win. The Miami Heat are visiting as they travel to take on the Orlando Magic on Wednesday night in the NBA.
Miami was defeated 112-108 at home by Minnesota Timberwolves in their previous game on Monday night. Orlando was beaten 114-97 on the road by the Boston Celtics in their previous game on Sunday afternoon.
Miami Needs to Climb in Southeast Division
In their previous game, the Heat entered Tuesday with a 15-12 record on the season and are in second place in the Southeast Division, two games behind the first-place Magic. They are in seventh place in the Eastern Conference standings, six games behind the Celtics who lead at the top.
The Heat are tied with the Cleveland Cavaliers for the last guaranteed playoff spot and have a 3.5-game lead over the Atlanta Hawks to remain in the play-in tournament field.
Against Minnesota, Miami led by 11 after the first quarter, by 17 with 9:10 to play in the first half and by 12 at halftime.
The Heat still led by six after three quarters before fading in the fourth period, being outscored 35-25 and suffering the loss.
Miami shot 47.1% from the field, including 11-of-30 on three-point shots, and lost the rebounding battle 45-40 and committed 15 turnovers in the loss. Tyler Herro led the Heat with 25 points.
The Heat enter this game ranked 20th in the league in offense, scoring 112.8 points per game this season.
Miami ranks 28th in the league in rebounding with an average of 40.7 per game, while the team ranks 11th in assists by dishing out 26.4 assists per night.
The Heat rank 10th in defense, allowing 112 points per game. Jimmy Butler ranks third on the team with 21.5 points, 5.2 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game.
Tyler Herro contributes an average of 23.1 points and 4.8 rebounds per night, while Bam Adebayo contributes 22.2 points and 9.7 rebounds per game.
Target practice 🎯 pic.twitter.com/Qn2ake5hI6
- Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) December 20, 2023
Orlando Also Seeks to Dominate Division
Orlando was swept in its two-game road series against the Celtics as they were defeated Sunday in their previous game. The Magic entered Tuesday with a 16-9 record on the season and held a two-game lead over the Heat in the Southeast Division standings.
They were four games behind the Celtics at the top of the conference and two games ahead of Miami to remain in a guaranteed playoff position.
Against Boston, Orlando led by four after the first quarter before being outscored 34-19 in the second quarter to be down 11 points at halftime.
The Magic battled, but were unable to get closer than four in the second half, resulting in the loss.
Orlando shot 38.2% from the field, including 11-of-36 on three-point shots, and lost the rebounding battle by a 55-43 margin. Paolo Banchero led the Magic with 36 points and 10 rebounds in the loss.
The Magic enter this game ranked 19th in the league in offense, averaging 113.2 points per game on the season.
Orlando also ranks 19th in the league in rebounding at 43.6 rebounds per game, while ranking 24th in assists by dishing out 25 assists per night. The Magic rank 4th in the league in defense by allowing 109.9 points per game.
Paolo Banchero is second on the Magic's team averaging 21 points, 6.8 rebounds and 4.4 assists per night on the season.
Cole Anthony contributes 14.8 points, 4.2 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game, while Franz Wagner contributes 20 points, 5.8 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game.
