On the road and using another starting lineup for the season, the Miami Heat (7-6) were led by Chris Bosh and Mario Chalmers down the stretch for a hard-fought 99-92 win against the Orlando Magic (6-9).
Both starters led the Heat -- desperate for more production with guards Dwyane Wade and Norris Cole out -- with individual season highs in points. Chalmers had 24 points, eight assists and grabbed a key steal to help ice the game. Bosh's shooting was on point with 32 points (13-of-20 shooting, 4 of 6 on 3-pointers), and completed a double-double with 10 rebounds.
The duo of Bosh and Chalmers turned it on in the fourth quarter to put away a much-improved Magic team led by a dominant Nikola Vucevic, who punished the Heat at the rim with 33 points, 11 offensive rebounds and 17 total rebounds. In one play, Vucevik was able to secure four straight offensive rebounds off of four point-blank misses before finally tipping it in. Rookie Elfrid Payton defended Chalmers and Shabazz Napier well off the bench and totaled five steals, nine points, and four assists.
Cole had his streak of 160 consecutive games played broken after suffering a dislocated left middle finger in the Heat's loss Thursday to the Los Angeles Clippers. That opened the door for Shannon Brown getting his first start of the season and increased minutes for Napier, who responded with 12 points.
Miami needed the win after dropping four of their past five games as Wade continues to sit with a hamstring injury. Not only is Bosh out of his mini-slump but also Chalmers continues to excel in an increased role on offense.
THE TURNING POINT
A 14-4 Heat run that began midway through the fourth quarter gave the Heat their biggest lead of the night and control of the game.
THE DIFFERENCE MAKER
Bosh and Chalmers combined for 24 of the Heat's 31 points in the fourth quarter.
STAT OF THE GAME
Though the Magic had the rebounding edge, the Heat kept pace throughout thanks to their improved 3-point shooting, outscoring Orlando 36-9 from long range.
WHAT'S NEXT
The Heat will host the Charlotte Hornets on Sunday at 6 p.m.
You can follow Surya Fernandez on Twitter @SuryaHeatNBA or email him at SuryaFoxSports@gmail.com.
