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Miami Heat kick off soft stretch of schedule against Orlando Magic

By Wes Goldberg

Dec 26, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Miami Heat guard Goran Dragic (7) moves to the basket past Orlando Magic guard Elfrid Payton (4) guard Mario Hezonja (23) and Evan Fournier (10) during the second quarter of a basketball game at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 26, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Miami Heat guard Goran Dragic (7) moves to the basket past Orlando Magic guard Elfrid Payton (4) guard Mario Hezonja (23) and Evan Fournier (10) during the second quarter of a basketball game at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /
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Game Preview: Miami Heat vs Orlando Magic

Heat (41-30) vs Magic (29-42)
Where: Miami
When: Friday, March 25th 8 PM ET
Watch: FS-SUN, NBA League Pass

After a brutal loss at the hands of the San Antonio Spurs Wednesday, the Miami Heat will return home to an easier opponent in the Orlando Magic Friday.

The Heat had been rolling and rising to the top of the Eastern Conference before suffering a 112-88 loss to the Spurs. It wasn’t that they were bad, or even disappointing. The Spurs haven’t lost a game at home all season, after all. But the game did show that they aren’t yet at that level (to be fair, only the Spurs and Warriors are at whatever historic level that may be).

The game showed they still have room to grow–even as they await a potential Chris Bosh return–and must keep improving so that they are at their best for the post-season.

Friday’s game against the Magic kicks off a soft stretch of the schedule, in which they will play four-straight sub-.500 teams over the next week. The Heat have had the Magic’s number, losing only once to them in the last four years.

Injury report: For the Magic, Nikola Vucevic (groin) and Ersan Ilyasova (shoulder) will not play. For Miami, Luol Deng (leg) is questionable. Chris Bosh and Tyler Johnson won’t make their return.

Matchup to watch: Dwyane Wade vs Victor Oladipo

Victor Oladipo, the Magic’s second year guard, is enjoying by far his best month of the season, averaging 21.4 points per game in March. He’s scored at least 20 points in four of the last five games, including a 45 point outing against the Cavaliers last Friday.

Oladipo drew comparisons to Dwyane Wade during the draft process, and it’s always interesting when the two get to face off. Wade has seemingly found his rhythm in the last few games, so both players will be going into Friday’s matchup playing well.

X-Factor: Josh McRoberts

Both the Heat and Magic will likely be without their starting stretch-4s. McRoberts started in place of Deng against the Spurs and could likely get the nod again Friday. If he does, he could be going up against Andrew Nicholson to start the game.

Nicholson isn’t a threatening offensive player, but McRoberts has been inconsistent all season. If he can play well, like he did in the first quarter against the Spurs Wednesday, he could make a huge difference for the Heat.

Key stats:

Miami Heat offensive efficiency: 13th, 103.6 points per 100 possessions
Miami Heat defensive efficiency: 6th, 101.3 points allowed per 100 possessions

Orlando Magic offensive efficiency: 26th, 101.4 points per 100 possessions
Orlando Magic defensive efficiency: 17th, 104.3 points allowed per 100 possessions

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