The Orlando Magic was able to come out with the victory in a close game against the Miami Heat on Saturday by the score of 93-90. Both teams have a 1-1 win/loss record. The Magic entered the game with a 23-point victory on Thursday against the Dallas Mavericks, while the Miami Heat looked to bounce back after their 19-point loss to the Brooklyn Nets.
The Miami Heat played without point guard Goran Dragic and their starting five were composed of Kelly Olynyk, Hassan Whiteside, Rodney McGruder, Josh Richardson, and Dion Waiters. The Orlando Magic had their usual starting five of Aaron Gordon, Nikola Vucevic, Elfrid Payton, Evan Fournier, and Terrence Ross.
Miami Heat's keys to the game
- Jason Richardson showed how good of a two-way player he is. In the second period, Richardson was hit in all cylinders and scored 13 points. He was also guarding multiple guys on multiple positions. Jason Richardson ended the game with game-high 19 points while shooting three out of four from the three-point line, he also had four assists, four steals, and one block.
- Hassan Whiteside put up another excellent performance by dominating the boards. He ended the game with 17 points and 15 rebounds, including five offensive rebounds.
- With Goran Dragic out resting, Dion Waiters took over the job as the primary ball handler. After a slow start, he ended the game with 17 points, three rebounds, two assists, and two steals while making all of his six free throw attempts.
Orlando Magic's keys to the game
- Forward Aaron Gordon has continued to show his improvement offensively. He scored 19 points and had six rebounds, one assist, and one block. If Gordon continues to show this type of progress, he is surely on his way to NBA stardom and is surely going to become one of the league's premieres scorers
- Jonathan Simmons was acquired by the Orlando Magic from the San Antonio Spurs. Simmons is a good two-way player and is an excellent wing defender. He displayed his defensive prowess, finishing the game with three steals and one block. Jonathan Simmons had an efficient game after coming off the bench with 12 points on six out of 14 shooting. He also had five rebounds.
- Aaron Aflalo was instrumental in their game as he hit big threes as the Orlando Magic came back and retook the lead. He scored eight of his ten points in the second half. Vintage Aflalo showed up and finished the game with ten points and two rebounds.
The Miami Heat will be facing the Charlotte Hornets on Monday while the Orlando Magic will be going up against the San Antonio Spurs.
