In the only game of the Preseason night, the Orlando Magic beat Miami Heat.The best man among the winners is Aaron Gordon, who is strongly supported by a lottery pick.
For a long time it looked as if the Heat controlled this game.At the beginning of the fourth quarter, however, the offense then lost its thread and let it happen that the Magic could move away – until Bam Adebayo had another gig.The rookie pulled some free throws in the last few minutes and led his team once again to 1 point, but after successful free throws from Kalin Lucas he lost his nerves.So Orlando finally won the Florida rivals’ duel.
Some players were missing on both sides.So the Heat had started without Goran Dragic, Okaro White, Udonis Haslem and A. J., too.Hammons weren’t active.The Magic lacked D. J. among others.Augustin and Marreese Speights.So it was others who had to provide accents.
In the Magic, two players were particularly noticeable: Aaron Gordon scored a strong 19 points (9/14 FG) and 6 rebounds, while rookie Jonathan Isaac scored 13 points (4/8) and 2 blocks from the bank.Jonathon Simmons (12), Terrence Ross and Arron Afflalo (10 each) and Elfrid Payton with 4 points and 9 assists also showed solid performances.
The Heat started without a real Point Guard in the Starting Five, Josh Richardson filled this role with 19 points (3/4 3FG), 4 assists and 4 steals.Hassan Whiteside (17, plus 15 rebounds) and Dion Waiters (17) also showed good performances.Newcomer Kelly Olynyk didn’t hit a barn door (1/7 FG), but instead he got 7 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 blocks.