For the third time this season, the Florida derby was won by players from Miami, more solid and regular than those from Orlando (93-83).
Without really shining, the teammates of Jimmy Butler (17 points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 interceptions), who found the floors after three weeks of absence, thus did the job in front of their audience, to chain a third success of straight ahead and move closer to the Eastern Conference podium.
Stunned after returning from the locker room, the Magic had yet managed the best start but, as soon as the Heat began to close ranks in defense and then accelerate in attack, and in particular in the shoot, it was too complicated for Jamahl Mosley’s men to resist , over time.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
— The return of Jimmy Butler. After playing only one of Miami’s last 13 games, due to his tailbone injury, the All-Star winger was finally present in the Florida starting five. Great news for Erik Spoelstra, deprived of Kyle Lowry, PJ Tucker and Bam Adebayo, in addition to Victor Oladipo, Markieff Morris and Dewayne Dedmon. If in 35 minutes, “Jimmy Buckets” was not a hit, he however behaved as a boss, on both sides of the floor. Going to seek his points on the line at the start of the game, to compensate for the awkwardness of his team, or in the last act, to repel Orlando.
— A boost was enough in Miami. After a contrasting first half of the Heat, especially in the shoot (only 2/16 at 3-points, including a 0/9 to start), the Florida snipers finally set the sights from afar, just after the break. With their 6/10 behind the arc over the period, Duncan Robinson, Gabe Vincent and other Max Strus thus allowed their team to achieve two decisive “runs”: a 10-0 to attack the third quarter, then an 11-4 moments later. Two blows of the club from which the Magic, relegated to more than 10 points of difference, will never really recover.
— Tyler Herro I expelled. Very small scoring match from the sixth man from Miami, author of his lowest points total (2) of the season. Without Kyle Lowry, the 21-year-old rear was content to play the facilitator for his teammates (8 assists), which he did quite well in his 19 minutes of playing time. Only downside, finally: his expulsion , therefore, because of two technical faults: one for hanging on with RJ Hampton in the first half, the other (very severe?) for being too vehement towards a referee, after a shot whistle against the Heat.
TOPS/FLOPS
✅ Omer Yurtseven. For the first start of his young career, the Turkish rookie managed his very first double-double in the NBA: 16 points and 15 rebounds. Without Bam Adebayo or Dewayne Dedmon, he responded well, after signing four games in a row with at least 10 rebounds off the bench. Standing out especially before the break, when the Heat couldn’t find the 3-point loophole. A solid and interesting performance from the 23-year-old pivot, endowed with good hands and a nice sense of rebound, even if the opposing racquet was not the most qualitative and renowned there is.
✅ Caleb Martin. Miami’s top scorer (17 points), tied with Jimmy Butler, the Florida winger shone out of the bench, on the occasion (also) of his return to competition. Three weeks after entering the league’s health protocol, which had slowed him down, coming out of his best career game (28 points, 8 rebounds against the Bucks). And, as if nothing had happened, the 26-year-old left on the same basis, positively influencing the Heat’s game with his aggressiveness towards the basket, his defensive energy and his ability to sanction from afar.
✅ Gary Harris. At the heart of the collective weakness of the Magic, the former player of the Nuggets has been floating for ten days. Including the meeting of the night, where he finished with 20 points on the clock (7/11 on shots, 2/5 on 3-points and 4/4 on throws), the 27-year-old rear has 19.2 points. on average, 48% on shots, 43% on 3-pointers and 92% on throws. Interesting statistics, obviously to be put into perspective in view of the context, but which should continue to attract the eye of more competitive franchises, in search of an experienced “3 & D”, fairly young and who is increasingly reassuring in terms of physical.
⛔ The quality of the match. Played in mid-afternoon local time (3:30 p.m.), this Heat / Magic was clearly not the best showcase for the NBA, on European soil. Between clumsiness, loss of ball, choppy play and false rhythm, the spectators and televiewers witnessing this part probably had to nosedive a few times. And, as often in this kind of meeting, it is the more talented team of the two (Miami, in this case) which managed to snatch the victory, without necessarily shining but still showing solid.
THE FOLLOWING
Miami (21-13) : Washington reception, Tuesday night to Wednesday (1:30 am).
Orlando (7-27) : Milwaukee reception, Tuesday to Wednesday night (1:00 am).
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