Jan 4, 2014; Orlando, FL, USA; Miami Heat shooting guard Dwyane Wade (3) tries to keep the ball inbounds during the second quarter of the game against the Orlando Magic at the Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Foldy-USA TODAY Sports
I have to start with this. In the Live Game Thread, I successfully predicted the final score of this game at 110-94.
If you follow me on Twitter @wcgoldberg, you know I have already tooted my horn about this. I won’t stop. These things make me feel smart. You’re welcome.
Now, on with the recap.
Heat have now won 22 straight games against the Southeast Division.
— Tim Reynolds (@ByTimReynolds) January 5, 2014
Chris Bosh was a perfect 9-9 from the field with 20 points to lead the Miami Heat to a blowout 110-94 win against the Orlando Magic Saturday night.
LeBron on Bosh being 9-for-9: "If I'd known, we would have gone to him a lot more."
— Ethan J. Skolnick, 5 Reasons Sports (@EthanJSkolnick) January 5, 2014
Dwyane Wade contributed 20 points of his own and LeBron James recorded an almost-triple-double with 15 points, 8 rebounds and 8 assists.
Rashard Lewis had 18 points playing in place of an injured Shane Battier (quad). The Heat used Lewis in much the same way it uses Battier, setting him up for corner three’s on offense and putting him on a big on defense.
Miami, coming off of a loss to the Golden State Warriors, came out strong against Orlando. Though the Magic kept it close until halftime at 48-46, the Heat went on a 19-2 run in the third quarter to open up the lead and didn’t look back.
A couple of takeaways from the Magic:
Victor Oladipo is promising, but should not, nor ever be, a point guard. On one particular play, James baited him into making a pass into the corner and made the easy steal that turned into points on the other end. It was too easy for the veteran. I know Oladipo is a rookie and that these things happen, but this is just one example of his inability to run the point. The Magic have gotten away from playing him at point guard as much. It is only a matter of time before the mission is aborted completely. Keep him at shooting guard, Jacque Vaughn.
The Magic were without Nikola Vucevic, who typically has a strong performance against the centerless Heat. Without him to run the offense through, they didn’t seem as confident.
The Heat play the second part of a back-to-back tomorrow night against the Toronto Raptors, who leave 30-degree weather and travel to warm-weather Miami for the 6 p.m. tipoff at the AmericanAirlines Arena. If coach Erik Spoelstra keeps with the trend, Wade will sit out.
As always, check it at AllUCanHeat.com, follow us on Twitter @FanSidedHeat and me @wcgoldberg.