Orlando Magic hand Miami Heat’s third-straight loss
The Orlando Magic avenged their humbling loss in their first meeting when they defeated the struggling Miami Heat, 104-95, on Wednesday 24 November at the Amway Center in Orlando.
Dwight Howard had a monster game as he racked up 24 points and 18 rebounds, while J.J Redick, who started the game for injured shooting guard Vince Carter, added 20 points and five assists
for the Magic, who absorbed a 96-70 loss in their first meeting on 29 October.
“We talked in the huddle that we had worked so hard to win this game and to not let that lead we had built completely slip away,” said Redick, whose team took control right from the opening
tip. “It was a big win.”
Jameer Nelson also had a share of the spotlight as the Magic's starting point guard scored 17 points and dished out 14 assists, while Brandon Bass chipped in 18 points on 9-for-12 shooting,
helping Orlando hand Miami their third-straight loss.
“Like I said after the San Antonio game, I have to make smarter decisions down the stretch,” said Nelson on his lacklustre performance against the San Antonio Spurs on Monday 22 November.
“The plays I made are the plays I should have made in the San Antonio game. They were there, and I just did not make them. Tonight we made them as a team and I made them as an individual.”
Orlando raced to an early eight-point lead, 26-18, at the end of the first period and led by as many as 12 points in the second period, limiting the Heat’s offensive attack with their smothering
defence. The Heat managed to stay within striking distance and even took 88-87 lead in the final quarter before Nelson and Redick took over, giving Miami their seventh loss in their first 15 games this season.
“We're going through a tough time right now,” said Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra. “There's no question about it. The guys want to do it. They want to make it right. Guys are competing, and
we just have to go through the process.”
LeBron James had 25 points and six rebounds; Chris Bosh, who went out in the first half because of back spasms, returned strong in the second half as he finished the game with 21 points,
while Dwyane Wade added 18 points, but the superstar trio and the Heat are still struggling to adjust this season.
“If we had the answer right now, we wouldn't be sitting at one game over .500,” James said when asked about what they are planning to improve their 8-7 record. “We're a few games out of first.
We're a few games out of eighth.”
James and the Heat will try to snap their three-game skid when they host the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday 26 November at the American Airlines Arena in Miami.
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