Game Preview: Miami Heat vs Orlando Magic
Heat (46-32) at Magic (33-45)
Where: Orlando, FL
When: Friday, April 8, 7 pm ET
TV/Radio: FS-SUN/790 AM
The Miami Heat have seemingly found their groove heading into the playoffs, having won 15 of its last 21 games. However, the team has dropped three of its last four on the road and, with three more road games remaining on the schedule, have a chance to pick up some momentum before the post season begins.
The first of those three games comes Friday night against the Magic, which will kick off a home-and-home series that will conclude in Miami on Sunday.
The Heat have defeated the Magic in its first two matchups this season and is looking for a sweep for the third time in four years.
Injury report
Miami – None
Orlando – Aaron Gordan, out
Matchup to watch: Nikola Vucevic vs Hassan Whiteside
Without going back to the last two previews for this series, I can guess that this was the matchup to watch in each of them. The Magic run a lot of their offense through Vucevic in the middle, and he’s historically put up big numbers against the Heat in his career.
However, that was mostly when Miami played small in the pace-and-space era. Now, with Whiteside manning the heavy minutes in the paint, Vucevic’s path of little resistance has a 7-foot road block.
After missing 13 straight games in March, Vucevic has returned to form, scoring 24, 22, 25 and 15 points in his last four games. It’ll be Whiteside’s job–once he comes in for Amar’e Stoudemire–to stop him. Likewise, it’ll be Vucevic’s job to stop Whiteside.
X-Factor: Josh Richardson
Josh Richardson has been the X-Factor for the better part of Miami’s post-All-Star break stretch, and the trend will continue against the Magic Friday.
Orlando has some nice young guards, and with Evan Fournier coming off the bench Richardson will have his hands full with a versatile scorer. Richardson’s assignment will be to slow him, as well as whoever he’s matched up against–whether it be Victor Oladipo or Elfrid Payton–while also contributing on offense.
Richardson’s done a nice job of late at finding the opening in the defense, especially along the perimeter, and positioning himself for open 3-point attempts. Miami’s drive and kick game always heats up when Richardson’s shot is falling.
Key stats
Miami Heat offensive efficiency: 11th, 103.9 points per 100 possessions
Miami Heat defensive efficiency: T-7th, 101.5 points allowed per 100 possessions
Orlando Magic offensive efficiency: 22nd, 102.5 points per 100 possessions
Orlando Magic defensive efficiency: 16th, 104.2 points allowed per 100 possessions