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ORLANDO – On opening night in Miami, the Orlando Magic demonstrated how dominant they can be when they’re a fully healthy squad.
Now, just over two months later, they’re eager to show how resilient they can be even when they’re shorthanded.
The Magic (17-12) are set for the second Sunshine State rivalry showdown of the season, which takes place on Saturday at 7 p.m. ET against the Heat (13-12) at Kia Center.
“These are ones that are pretty easy to get excited for,” said Magic guard Jalen Suggs, who is likely to play after suffering a right ankle sprain against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday. “You don’t have to go find any extra motivation. Since I’ve been here, we’ve had really physical games, real battles. There’s really no love lost (during the game). We understand what happened at the beginning of the year as well – (a 116-97 Magic win in Miami). We’re all mentally prepared to come out here and fight, be physical, and do whatever needs to be done.”
Even without franchise cornerstones Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner in their lineup, Orlando has maintained its defensive identity. The Magic still hold the league’s third-best defensive rating (106.2). And they know any matchup with Miami, which is also top 10 in that category (110.8), will likely end up in a slugfest.
“That’s what it’s been about,” said Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley. “We understand how they play, and we know what we do. The defensive side of the floor is going to be the key factor. Being physical without fouling (because) we know it’s going to be an aggressive battle. That’s what we expect. You look forward to it.”
Offensively, the Heat have been relying on Tyler Herro to carry the load. The 6-foot-5 guard is 11th in the NBA in scoring over the last 10 games, putting up 25.6 points per contest. Herro has scored in double figures in 55 consecutive games dating back to last season, the longest streak of his career (including both regular season and playoff games).
As the Magic continue to reconfigure their offense without their two All-Star caliber forwards in their rotation, they’ll need other players to step up, rise to the occasion, and take advantage of additional opportunities.
Orlando’s Anthony Black is looking to build on a performance where he did just that. The 6-foot-7 guard posted a career-high 23 points against the Thunder, while going 8-for-14 from the floor and 3-for-6 from 3-point range.
“He’s more than capable,” said Magic big man Wendell Carter Jr. of Black. “With him being so young, he’s going to have his games where it’s kind of tough for him. (The game against OKC) was a great example of how good he can be. We all see it every day in practice … He has the ability, he has the size, (and) he has the demeanor to be really good in this league.”
IN AND OUT: Suggs is probable, Gary Harris (left hamstring; strain) is questionable, and Banchero (right oblique; torn) and Wagner (right oblique; torn) are out.
Miami’s injury report is not yet submitted. However, Jimmy Butler left Friday’s contest against the Oklahoma City Thunder with an illness. Josh Richardson (right heel; inflammation) also missed that outing.
QUOTE TO NOTE: “We started off the year really well (and) we got some really good wins early on. But now, we’re in a really tough stretch (playing) against some of the best teams in the league. This is where you separate boys from men. I feel like we’re all capable. At the end of the day, when that ball goes up, it’s five on five – five men against another five men. We’ve just got to be the grittier team, figure out ways to get stops, (and) figure out ways to generate shots at the end of the day. Then, whatever the score is at the end of the game, you live with it. But we can’t, at this point, be outworked, we can’t have mental lapses on the offensive end. Everything has to be with precision. We just have to understand that with two of our best players out – and (against OKC we lost J. Suggs – we have to be even more intentional with our movements and how we play on both ends of the court.” – Carter
KEY STATS: Even with the players in and out of their lineup for much of the season, the Magic have remained consistent at closing out possessions. Orlando is No.1 in the NBA at limiting second chance points, allowing just 10.4 of them per game. It’s an area the Magic should once again excel as they prepare for a Heat team that scores just 12.1 of them per outing, tied for fifth fewest in the association
