A Florida meeting between the Orlando Magic (1-4) and Miami Heat (3-2) is set on Oct. 18, Tuesday at the American Airlines Arena as the 2016-2017 NBA Preseason Games continue.
Start Time and Streaming Info
The game starts at 7:30 p.m. ET. It can be viewed live online thru the NBA League Pass.
Preview
Orlando has struggled to find wins in the preseason as the team only has one to boot after five games. Their most recent match ended in a 105-98 loss to the Atlanta Hawks at the Amway Center on Sunday.
Serge Ibaka suited up for the Magic while Nikola Vucevic was rested by new head coach Frank Vogel. Bismack Biyombo started in the game along with Elfrid Payton, Evan Fournier, Aaron Gordon, and Ibaka.
The former Oklahoma City power forward led the team in scoring with 25 points on 9-for-15 shooting. He also had six rebounds, one assist, and two blocks in 36 minutes.
Biyombo was a monster in the shaded area during the match as he hauled down 19 boards and blocked five shots also in 36 minutes of action. He contributed seven points and two assists as well.
Fournier had an impressive all-around performance with 22 points, five rebounds, and four assists at the shooting guard position. Payton was also effective with 14 points, five boards, and five dimes.
Backup point guard DJ Augustin contributed 12 points, three assists, and four steals in 20 minutes off the bench for the Magic.
Meanwhile, the Heat won three of their five games so far in the preseason with the last one resulting in a 101-96 defeat to the Minnesota Timberwolves at the KFC Yum! Center last Saturday.
Head coach Erik Spoelstra mostly played his second and third units during the match as he rested regular starters Hassan Whiteside, Goran Dragic, and Tyler Johnson. Justise Winslow started and scored five points in just seven minutes of playing time.
Four bench players scored in double figures for the Heat with Rodney McGruder, Wayne Ellington, Keith Benson, and James Johnson scoring 15, 14, 14, and 12 points respectively.
Prediction
Orlando is favored to win their second game in the preseason if Coach Spoelstra decides to continue to rest his starters in this match.
