Magic Shutdown Heat in Fourth Quarter To Secure a 20-Point Victory
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Image via Orlando Magic
With 25 points from Terrence Ross and a 20 point, 11 rebound double-double from Nikola Vucevic, the Orlando Magic took on the Miami Heat Friday night, giving the Heat a 20 point loss in the City Beautiful.
Playing in their second game of a back-to-back, after holding the Toronto Raptors to 6 of 42 from 3-point range, the Miami Heat shot only 37.5 percent overall against the Magic. Jimmy Butler, playing a great game, secured 23 points and ten rebounds for the Heat, but Miami would only score six points in the fourth quarter on shooting three of 19 from the field.
Image via Orlando Magic
After being listed as questionable for Friday's game, Aaron Gordon would return to the floor. Gordon's return proved invaluable for the Magic with Jonathan Isaac sitting out due to a severe knee sprain and bone bruise. Gordon would take home 16 points, eight rebounds, and three assists, along with an incredible dunk in the second quarter to ignite the fans and the Magic bench.
After the game, Magic head coach Steve Clifford had some words on Aaron Gordon's return Friday night. "Aaron gave us physicality. He has the ability to defend primary scorers and make it hard on them, which is hard to do," states Coach Clifford.
With 4:29 left in the game, the Magic would lead the Heat by 18 points off of a 3-pointer by Aaron Gordon and a hook shot by Vucevic. Miami was not much help to themselves going scoreless for over three minutes in the fourth quarter and turning the ball over three times.
The Orlando Magic would lead the Heat in key stats throughout the game, including field goal percentage with 40.7% and free throw percentage making 26 of 29 from the charity stripe. However, it was the Magic's defense that proved stable in tonight's victory. With 37 defensive rebounds, 11 steals, and four blocks, the Magic came to play defensively against their in-state rivals.
When talking about the Magic's defense, Steve Clifford stated, "I thought our defense, for the most part, was really good. That multiple effort, cover, know who you're closing to, particularly in the fourth quarter, was really good."
Image via MIami Heat
Miami has been one of the top 3-point shooting teams this season. However, the Heat were not as accurate as they have been from the 3-point line, as the Magic succeeding in closing out the Heat's shooters on nearly every play. Miami went 7-out-of-37 from three-point range, with the Heat bench only contributing one of 10 from three in the first half.
Friday's game is the first of four meetings this season between the Magic and Heat. The in-state and Southeast Divison rivals will play three more games – January 27 and March 4 in Miami and February 1 in Orlando. In the 31-year history of the rivalry, the Orlando Magic are now 31-30 breaking the tie in the 61 games played in Orlando.
What's Next
Miami Heat: Host Portland on Sunday, January 5
Orlando Magic: Host Utah and Saturday, January 4
Key Notes:
Magic's Nikola Vucevic recorded his 300th career double-double in Friday's game against the Heat.
The six points scored by the Heat in the 4th quarter are the fewest points scored in a quarter since Toronto held Portland to six points during the 2nd quarter on October 30, 2017.
The six points scored tied a Magic franchise record for fewest points allowed in any quarter.
Markelle Fultz recorded a career-high six steals in Friday's game versus the Heat
Miami put up a quarter season-high of 35 points in the 3rd quarter of Friday's game against Orlando