Magic at Heat
The Miami Heat look to extend their 15-game winning streak on Wednesday when they visit the Orlando Magic, who face an uphill battle against their in-state rivals. Ten of Miami’s 15 victories during their franchise-record winning streak
have come by double digits, including Monday’s 97-81 win at Minnesota. Orlando is 7-29 against Eastern Conference opponents, but they’re coming off an encouraging 105-102 win over the New Orleans Hornets on Monday.
Miami’s LeBron James is averaging 27 points, 8.2 rebounds and 7.3 assists, and he needs two 3-point field goals to reach 1,000 for his career. James scored a game-high 36 points in the Heat’s 112-110 overtime win over the Magic on Dec. 31. After opening their four-game homestand against Orlando, the Heat play Philadelphia before facing Indiana on Sunday in a much-anticipated contest between the two teams sitting atop the Eastern Conference standings.
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, Fox Sports Florida (Orlando), Sun Sports (Miami)
ABOUT THE MAGIC (17-44): Guard Arron Afflalo, who averages a team-high 16.9 points, scored 28 in the first matchup with the Heat. Center Nikola Vucevic had a franchise-record 29 rebounds in that same game, and the 7-footer is having a solid season while averaging 12.1 points and 11.2 rebounds. The team has been pleasantly surprised by the play of forward Tobias Harris, who is averaging 16.8 points in six games since being acquired from Milwaukee. Point guard Jameer Nelson returned Monday after missing six games with a knee injury and scored 15 points in 37 minutes against the Hornets. Nelson missed the first matchup with Miami because of a sore hip.
ABOUT THE HEAT (44-14): Guard Dwyane Wade has at least one steal in each of the last 19 games, the second longest streak of his career. Wade scored 32 points against Minnesota, and he’s shooting 61.8 percent from the field over his last six games. While James and Wade have led the Heat during their 15-game winning streak, Shane Battier and Ray Allen have been just as consistent off the bench. Battier has connected on at least one 3-pointer in 16 straight games, and he’s shooting 61.7 percent from beyond the arc over his last 12 games. Allen has been equally hot with 13 3-pointers in his last five games.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Miami has won its last 38 consecutive games when outrebounding its opponents by double figures.
2. Orlando is 0-19 when failing to score at least 90 points.
3. The Heat have won their last 11 straight home games, and they’re 84-19 at AmericanAirlines Arena since the 2010-11 season.