The Miami Heat entered Monday night’s contest against the Orlando Magic coming off of a tough overtime loss to the Indiana Pacers on Saturday night.
In a game where they were just out-toughed, out-hustled, and outworked by a more-desperate Indiana team for the win, they brought the right kind of mentality into Monday’s game. Though the Orlando Magic are, clearly, rebuilding, they are always a tough matchup for Miami, traditionally.
Though the final scores may seem like runaways, at times, the actual nuance, rhythm, and sequencing of the games are always tough, poetic, and as Monday’s was, up and down, as far as the Heat’s separation on the scoreboard. Fortunately for them though, they were eventually able to run off with it.
Behind a really good effort from their leader, with Jimmy Butler‘s 36 points, three rebounds, and two assists, the Miami Heat were able to get it done in a situation that may have not worked out the same for them on last season.
Leaving the first half 1-10 from range, the Miami Heat were still up double-digits.
The Miami Heat got a strong effort from Jimmy Butler on Monday night. They also ran away with a game that they might not be able to in prior years.
Finishing the game 6-27 from three, they still managed to win the game and going away, by 17 points.
Again, an outburst like that from Jimmy Butler goes a long way, but it’s still good to see the Miami Heat be able to overcome things that have haunted them in the past, as assumed though with the offseason additions. Butler’s teammates also gave him a good solid effort.
Tyler Herro wasn’t quite the explosive scorer that he has been over the first couple of games, but he did put the rest of his improved game on full display. With becoming a better lead ball handler and playmaker a huge part of his process, a path that includes NBA MIP and 6MOY awards this season being the strong belief, he dropped nine dimes on Monday night.
Always a strong rebounder for his position, he added in five boards and 13 points as well, shooting 1-3 from range. Bam Adebayo finished with 16 points, 13 rebounds, and two assists, while Duncan Robinson was the only other starter to crack double figures, totaling 10.
Kyle Lowry finished with nine points, eight assists, and two boards, while Markieff Morris also helped a ton off the pine, finishing with 16 points, three rebounds, and an assist for his best showing as a member of the Miami Heat.
As has been the case for the brief totality of this year, preseason included, the entirety of the rotation contributed mightily. It was another good team win.
They needed it after a tough Indiana defeat though and will certainly look to carry this over into Brooklyn… well, everything except the poor range shooting. They’ll face everyone’s favorites on Wednesday at 7:30pm Eastern.
It’ll be a glorious time.