Magic at Heat
The Orlando Magic have matched their season-best streak of five straight wins and look to overtake the host Miami Heat on Tuesday. Orlando's hot stretch has enabled it to move within one-half game of the Heat for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
The Magic pounded Philadelphia 119-98 on Monday for their third 20-point victory during the first 5-0 homestand in franchise history and are ready for the stretch drive. "We will play eight games, and they are all going to be important," Orlando coach Steve Clifford told reporters after Monday's victory. "The game that we played (against Philadelphia) will travel." Miami also has been playing well, recording nine victories in its last 12 games, but has been idle since defeating Washington 113-108 on Saturday. The Heat not only are trying to hold off Orlando, but they are in close pursuit of Detroit and Brooklyn for a higher-seeded position.
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, FS Florida (Orlando), FS Sun (Miami)
ABOUT THE MAGIC (36-38): Orlando limited Philadelphia to 38 second-half points and held it without a field goal over a stretch of 11 minutes, 42 seconds. "That’s really, really good, that's extremely good," shooting guard Evan Fournier told reporters. "That’s almost a full quarter. Just good defense, good effort and we had the right intensity and focus." Fournier scored 20 of his 24 points in the second half to complement All-Star center Nikola Vucevic, who recorded 28 points and 11 rebounds for his 54th double-double of the campaign.
ABOUT THE HEAT (36-37): The retiring Dwyane Wade is playing superb down the stretch as he recorded 20 points, nine rebounds and five assists in the win over Washington to notch his ninth straight double-digit scoring performance. "You're not going to deliver every night, but it (darn) sure feels good when you can deliver," the 37-year-old Wade told reporters. "I'm glad that I can be what I once was in moments and situations when the team needs it." Bam Adebayo delivered a fine all-around effort with 16 points, 11 rebounds, eight assists and four blocked shots.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. The Magic are 2-1 against the Heat this season, including a 105-90 road win on Dec. 4.
2. Miami SF Justise Winslow (thigh) could miss his sixth straight game, as he also came down with food poisoning on Monday.
3. Orlando PG Michael Carter-Williams scored 15 points against the 76ers in his fourth game with the club.
PREDICTION: Magic 108, Heat 105