3-Point Barrage Sinks Orlando Magic vs. Miami Heat
The Orlando Magic's opening game at the Kia Center and the return of Wendell Carter Jr. were spoiled by the Miami Heat in a 115-106 loss on Wednesday.
The loss snapped Orlando's (16-10) nine-game winning streak at home and extended its losing streak to three. The Magic were without forward Joe Ingles due to a sprained ankle, while Miami (16-12) didn't have forwards Jimmy Butler (calf) or Kevin Love (illness).
"We've got to grow up as a unit," Magic guard Cole Anthony said. "We had a run for a while, we're going through a rough patch right now. We've got to be consistent. We can't get too high, get too low. We've got to be better and stronger emotionally."
The game got away from Orlando in the second quarter, as it was outscored by the Heat 43-26. With the game tied at 38 with 6:10 left in the first half, Miami outscored the Magic 30-12, including a 17-0 run to go into halftime up 68-50. The Heat made eight 3s in the quarter, with forward Haywood Highsmith making four and guard Josh Richardson making two. Miami's 43 points is the most Orlando has allowed in a quarter this season.
"They made a ton of shots," Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley said. "We missed a ton that led to leak outs, long shots, long rebounds, then they got on the break and that sparked their run. They did a hell of a job knocking shots down and then being able to get on the break."
Orlando Magic rookie guard Anthony Black trying to block a 3-pointer from Miami Heat guard Josh Richardson.
Kim Klement Neitzel-USA Today Sports
The Heat shot 15-29 from 3, while Orlando shot 9-36.
Tyler Herro, who was one of seven players on the Heat to score in double-figures, led the Heat with 28 points, and he had eight rebounds plus seven assists. Center Bam Adebayo had 18 points, and Highsmith had 15.
"They kept making us pay for every bad closeout," Anthony said. "Whatever mistake we made on the defensive end, they took advantage of that and were able to jump out to that lead."
Carter Jr. started in his return from a broken left hand and played 23 minutes. He had eight points and four rebounds. Anthony led the Magic with 20 points off the bench, and forward Franz Wagner had 15 points, six rebounds and four assists. Jalen Suggs and Moe Wagner each scored 11 points, while Paolo Banchero had 10.
Orlando staged a late rally, cutting the Heat's lead down to seven with 28.8 seconds left in the game behind 3-pointers from Chuma Okeke and Caleb Houstan. Late free throws from Adebayo ultimately stymied the comeback.
Orlando begins a three-game road trip when Milwaukee Bucks (20-7) at the Fiserv Forum on Thursday at 8 p.m. ET.
"There's never a benefit to having a back-to-back," Anthony said. "It's very taxing, but it's a good chance for us to redeem ourselves," Anthony said. "It makes us have to shake this nasty game off and go prepare for another game in less than 24 hours."
