Magic at Heat
The Miami Heat have finally cured their ills at home and aim for their first three-game winning streak of the season when they host the Orlando Magic on Tuesday. Following a six-game losing streak at AmericanAirlines Arena, the Heat managed to squeak past New Orleans and Utah by a combined seven points to improve to 2-1 on their current four-game homestand.
The 102-100 victory over the Jazz on Sunday came with only nine healthy players and in spite of an early 19-point deficit. "In many regards, from a standpoint of grit and not making excuses or feeling sorry for ourselves, this was our signature game this year," coach Erik Spoelstra told the media. The Magic will be playing the final contest in their six-game road trip, which is tied for the longest on their schedule. They improved to 2-3 on the swing with a 99-85 victory at Phoenix on Friday.
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, FS Florida (Orlando), FS Sun (Miami)
ABOUT THE MAGIC (11-12): Center Nikola Vucevic has carried Orlando on the trip, averaging 24.4 points on 55.2 percent shooting and grabbing 11.6 rebounds in the five games, including 25 and 15 in the 99-85 win over the Suns. "I was just trying to stay aggressive," Vucevic told reporters of his matchup with Phoenix center and No. 1 overall pick Deandre Ayton. "For big men, it takes a little bit, especially on the defensive end, to kind of get a feel for it. The game is so fast." Terrence Ross chipped in 21 points off the bench while Aaron Gordon added 18 on 8-of-12 shooting after missing the previous game with a back issue.
ABOUT THE HEAT (9-13): Four key players were already missing Sunday's game due to injury -- including the seventh straight game for 2018 All-Star Goran Dragic (knee) -- and the ranks were further depleted when starting swingman Rodney McGruder sprained his right ankle in the first quarter. The bench stepped up as four reserves combined for 42 points, led by Dwyane Wade's 15 and team-high eight assists. Dragic will miss Tuesday's contest and McGruder is questionable, the team announced, but guard Tyler Johnson (hamstring) and forward Derrick Jones Jr. (hamstring) are listed as probable.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Heat C Hassan Whiteside had 23 points and 20 rebounds against the Jazz and entered Monday's action ranked second in the NBA in rebounding (13.9) and first in blocked shots (2.9).
2. Magic SG Evan Fournier is 17-for-55 from the field on the road trip.
3. Gordon finished with 26 points and 16 boards to lead Orlando to a 104-101 victory over visiting Miami in the season opener for both teams Oct. 17.