Though final weekend’s 25-point comeback victory by the Magic in opposition to the Warmth was thrilling, coach Jamahl Mosley made it a degree of emphasis to his workforce at shootaround to keep away from that giant of a deficit altogether when Orlando hosted Miami a second time previously 5 days at Kia Middle.
And that’s what the Magic did in opposition to the Warmth on Thursday evening once they jumped out in entrance 14-0 and ultimately took a 17-point lead within the first half in opposition to their in-state foe.
However the Warmth didn’t give up and mounted a double-digit comeback of their very own to flee the jaws of defeat 89-88 on the highway as Orlando acquired a style of its drugs.
Regardless of a game-high 29 factors from Jalen Suggs, it was his turnaround leap shot with lower than 1 second on the clock that rimmed out and finally sealed the Warmth win.
The play prior, Miami’s Tyler Herro (20 factors) hit a pull-up jumpshot to place Miami forward for good.
Thursday’s contest was the third assembly between the Magic and Warmth (15-13) with Orlando nonetheless holding a 2-1 season-series benefit. The edges meet once more Jan. 27 in South Florida.
The Magic (19-13) have a fast turnaround once they host the Knicks on Friday evening.
Beginning 5
Mosley made no change to his first group on the ground as two-way guard Trevelin Queen made his second straight begin alongside Suggs, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Tristan da Silva and Goga Bitadze.
Suggs hit his first pair of triples and even took an early offensive cost from Miami’s Bam Adebayo. Suggs led the best way once more within the the absence of Magic star duo Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner — who proceed to rehab from the identical damage (torn proper stomach muscle).
It wasn’t till late within the sport, nevertheless, Suggs acquired assist from Orlando’s different starters in a bodily contest.
Caldwell-Pope’s late triple, his first and solely of the evening, introduced the Magic inside 1 level on the 52-second mark earlier than Bitadze (10 factors with 14 rebounds) put Orlando forward late.
3-point distinction
The Warmth entered Thursday’s contest eighth within the league when it got here to 3-point taking pictures (37.4%) whereas the Magic had been lifeless final (31.1%).
And it confirmed.
After Orlando made its first three triples, the group missed their subsequent 19 long-range makes an attempt earlier than Cory Joseph transformed from the left nook early within the fourth quarter. The Magic ended 5 of 30 (16.7%).
In the meantime, Miami shot 50% (15 of 30) from distance to assist maintain itself in hanging distance.
The Warmth’s 15 3-pointers (in comparison with Orlando’s 5) accounted for a 30-point distinction on triples alone.
Too many turnovers
Though the Magic scored 28 factors off 21 Miami turnovers, Orlando itself had hassle taking good care of the basketball.
Bold go makes an attempt and sloppy ball-handling led to 23 turnovers, together with 7 from Suggs, which the Warmth took full benefit of all through the evening.
Miami totaled 25 factors off its takeaways vs. Orlando within the 1-point win.
Rookie watch
The No. 18 choose relied on his craftiness within the paint and talent to chop when given the chance in opposition to the Warmth.
Da Silva (18 factors) continued to look assured on the courtroom with the ball in his palms and made the kind of hustle performs the Magic love. He racked up 6 rebounds, 2 assists, a steal and a block in 39 minutes.
The Orlando rookie picked off a Miami inbounds go for a steal-and-slam early within the third quarter earlier than he was afterward the optimistic finish of an alley-oop from Suggs.
Jason Beede might be reached at jbeede@orlandosentinel.com
Up subsequent …
Magic vs. Knicks
When: 7, Friday, Kia Middle
TV: FanDuel Sports activities Community Florida