For Magic Game Day 82 tonight it is the season end for Orlando against Miami in the Amway Center. Miami have won the Eastern Conference and are headed to the playoffs with expectations of a deep run. For Orlando it is all about the future and what the summer holds.
The tip time from City Beautiful is shown on the Orlando Magic website as being 12 midnight here in the U.K. (7pm Eastern for our friends in Orlando). To watch the game live or on demand you will need an active NBA League Pass subscription.
Before we dive into a look at tonight’s matchup when you are watching tonight make sure to look for two of our own. Gary will be sat in Block 108 to the side of the Magic’s tunnel and Conall will be courtside. Enjoy the game boys and as always loud and proud as you represent us U.K. fans.
Season Record And Last Time Out
The Orlando Magic
The Orlando Magic finished their season road games playing the Charlotte Hornets. The Magic went down 101-128 as the fast paced Hornets made the most of Orlando’s absences, fouls and turnovers. Mo Bamba left the game with 4 minutes played, spraining an ankle.
Chuma Okeke led the Magic with 20 points. Moe Wagner continued his double figure scoring with 17 points. Markelle Fultz again started, posting 12 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists. Ignas Brazdeikis, RJ Hampton and Devin Cannady each made double figure scoring, all with 12 points each.
Orlando’s record for the season is 21 wins and 60 losses. The Magic remain last in the Eastern Conference. Over the last 10 games played the Magic have won 3. The home record stands at 11 wins of 40 games played. On the road the record is 10 wins in 41 games played. Points per game sees the Magic scoring 104, whilst conceding 112.2.
The Miami Heat
The Heat played their final home game of the season on Friday night, taking the win over the Atlanta Hawks 109-113. Bam Adebayo led the Heat with 24 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals. Jimmy Butler got buckets, having a 20 point haul. Kyle Lowry gave strong support, weighing in with 16 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals. Tyler Herro continued his campaign for Sixth Man of the Year with 15 points, 5 rebounds, 9 assists and a steal.
The Heat have a 53-28 season record, seeing them end the season as the Eastern Conference Champions. Miami have found form again after a 4 game wobble. Being on a 6 game win streak the Heat have won 6 of the last 10 games played. At home Miami won 29 win of the 41 played record for the season. On the road performances have also been strong, winning 24 of 40 games. The Heat have been solid on offence, scoring a mid-league 110 points per game. Defence has been Miami’s foundation, building wins by conceding the 3rd least points per game at 105.3.
Head-To-Head – The Miami Heat
The all time head-to-head record in the 129 regular season games played sees the Magic trailing by 56-73.
The teams have met three times this season with Miami winning each. Game Day 4 saw Orlando losing by 90-107 on the road in Miami. Orlando fought but Miami led for most of the game. Game Day 30 was in the Amway Center and a makeshift Magic team came up short in second season loss by 115-105. The last meeting was on Boxing Day (26th December for our American friends) which saw the Heat prevail 83-93. Brilliant Miami ball movement (28 assists on 36 field goals scored), dominant offensive rebounding and Orlando turnovers all helped decide the outcome.
Last season the teams met three times, Miami taking the series 2-1. Season 2019-20 saw Orlando beaten 1-3 across the four meetings. That sees Miami on a run of winning 5 straight and 8 of the last 10 played.
In the playoffs the teams have met over 5 games in 1997, Orlando losing 3-2 in the Eastern Conference First Round.
Our Opponents – The Miami Heat
Coach Eric Spoelstra has been at the Miami helm now since 2008. His coaching record is excellent, seeing 660 regular season wins and 85 playoff wins across 14 seasons. That equates to a winning percentage of 59.4% in both the regular and post season.
At the time of writing ESPN list Miami as having some concerns. Jimmy Butler is out, being rested. Dewayne Dedmon, Markieff Morris, PJ Tucker, Gabe Vincent, Omer Yurtseven and Haywood Highsmith are all questionable.
Last Game Starting Unit: Kyle Lowry (PG), Max Strus (SG), Caleb Martin (PF), Jimmy Butler (SF), Bam Adebayo (C)
Last Game Bench: Tyler Herro, Duncan Robinson, Gabe Vincent, Dewayne Dedmon
Did Not Play (Injury or Coaching Decision): Victor Oladipo, Mychal Mulder, Udonis Haslem, Markieff Morris, PJ Tucker, Gabe Vincent, Omer Yurtseven, Haywood Highsmith, Javonte Smart
The Orlando Magic Lineup And Injury Report
Coach Jamahl Mosley will again be changing his starting line up. There are questions around the availability of Mo Bamba, listed as day-to-day after spraining his ankle last time out.
The team will be without Cole Anthony, Jalen Suggs, Franz Wagner, Wendell Carter Jr, Jonathan Isaac and Bol Bol.
Last Starting Lineup – Markelle Fultz (PG), Jalen Suggs (SG), Chuma Okeke (SF), Moe Wagner (PF), Mo Bamba (C)
Magic Bench Unit – RJ Hampton, Devin Cannady, Robin Lopez, Ignas Brazdeikis, Admiral Schofield, Terrence Ross (DNP), Gary Harris (DNP)
Final Thoughts On The Season End For Orlando Against Miami
Aside from the State, Division and Conference rivalry and pride neither team has anything to play for.
The season end for Orlando against Miami is again about opportunity for Markelle Fuktz and the newly signed Devin Cannady. Having his 10-Day Contract expire after facing Charlotte; Orlando have announced Cannady has been formally signed to the team. His shooting threat is a much needed facet for the team.
For Miami the game is more an inconvenience having secured the Eastern Conference title already. They will seek to avoid any injury ahead of their first round matchup against one of the play-in teams.
The Draft Lottery Picture
Orlando are certain of finishing with one of the two worst records in the NBA. Therefore it is certain that come the NBA Draft Lottery on Tuesday, May 17th the Magic can pick no lower than 6th. They will have one of the three best odds to land the number one pick. If Orlando lose and Houston win they will share an identical record and tie for the worst record. Finishing with the worst record guarantees a top 5 pick.
Full information on how this all works is available here on nba.com.
Odds and current rankings are available via Tankathon.
Houston play at home to Atlanta. Detroit are finishing on the road in Philadelphia. Oklahoma close their season on the road in LA against the Clippers.
