The Orlando Magic defeated the Miami Heat 112-109 in the Amway Center last night. It was the first time the Magic beat the Heat in Orlando since 2012. The boys in blue once again let their talent show as the battled the heat all game, even though the games that end this week will not be followed by a playoff appearance next weekend.
The magic were lead by Nic Vucevic’s 29 points including a game winning dunk. Evan Fournier had a 28 point effort that kept the team going with clutch shooting.
Continuing to fight the way they have down the stretch even after being eliminated from playoff contention, the Magic – winners of five of the last seven games – showed they still have plenty of grit and purpose
Miami came into the game tied with Boston for the fourth and fifth seeds and trailing Atlanta by a half-game for third. Boston beat Milwaukee on Friday to pull a game ahead of the Heat. Miami still has to play Orlando again on Sunday, but it then will close the season at Boston’s TD Garden on Wednesday night in a game that could be for home court advantage in the first round of the playoffs.
Orlando lost standout Victor Oladipo to a concussion and a cut over his left eye when he was hit by a Whiteside elbow in the third quarter. Oladipo, who scored 13 points, needed six stitches to close the cut and he could be lost for the remainder of the season.
Point guard Elfrid Payton had 16 points and 10 assists, reserves C.J. Watson and Devyn Marble also came up big on both ends of the floor when the team needed them for the win.
Dwyane Wade scored 17 for the Heat, but he made just seven of 19 shots against Fournier’s defense. Whiteside had 13 points, 16 rebounds and four blocked shots.
The Magic next game is against the Heat in Miami on Sunday.
