In what was the first game of the 2021 NBA season, the Orlando Magic beat the Miami Heat 113-107. The reigning Eastern Conference Champs fought hard the whole game, but ultimately, they weren’t able to stop Evan Fournier and the rest of the Magic.
Orlando Magic
The Orlando Magic won their first game of the season to start off 1-0. Evan Fournier led the Magic, racking up 25 points. Fournier hit a go-ahead 3-pointer late in the fourth quarter, and converted a three-point play off another driving layup in the final minute.
“It was a good win and you always want to win the first game, especially when it’s at home,” said Fournier, who scored nine points in the final period for Orlando. “It’s definitely rewarding to win against a team like Miami because it’s always tough to play against them.”
For the Magic, Nikola Vucevic had 15 points and 11 rebounds, Aaron Gordon had 20 points and 7 rebounds, Terrence Ross had 19 points, and Markelle Fultz had 15 points. Dwayne Bacon who was signed in Free Agency this offseason, was very disappointing in his Magic debut. Bacon racked up 0 points in 19 minutes, shooting 0-5 from the field. Rookie Cole Anthony played 19 minutes in his NBA debut. Anthony got his first 6 NBA points and his first 6 NBA assists against the Heat.
Miami Heat
Bam Adebayo led the Heat with 25 points and 11 rebounds. It wasn’t enough as the Heat lost to the Magic in Orlando. Jimmy Butler played decent, racking up 19 points and 7 assists in 36 minutes. Goran Dragic played well in the 6th man role, adding 20 points and 7 assists.
The Heat turned the ball over 22 times, leading to 24 Magic points. “One, empty possessions. Two, we didn’t get the necessary ball movement … and thirdly, (the Magic) are a good defensive team,” said Heat coach Erik Spoelstra.
Miami led 93-91 with 4:29 to play, but were never able to close out the game due to Evan Fournier, who proved many people wrong, especially after struggling in the NBA Bubble a few months ago.
Next Up
The Miami Heat host the New Orleans Pelicans on Christmas Day! (Friday, Dec. 25 at 12 PM)
The Orlando Magic head to Washington to face Westbrook and the Wizards! (Saturday, Dec. 26 at 7 PM)