Magic Musings: Nikola Vucevic's big game not enough against Heat
ORLANDO, Fla. -- LeBron James is now in Cleveland and Dwyane Wade is resting a strained left hamstring, but the Orlando Magic still can't find a way to defeat the Miami Heat.
The Magic lost to the Heat for the 10th consecutive time Saturday night, falling 99-92 despite getting 33 points and 17 rebounds from Nikola Vucevic.
Wade, who missed his fifth game in a row, wasn't the only notable player not in uniform. The Magic had to go without their second-leading scorer, forward Tobias Harris, who strained his right calf before their game Friday night at Charlotte. Harris played nearly 40 minutes despite that injury and had 17 points and 16 rebounds in their come-from-behind 105-100 victory over the Hornets.
Evan Fournier opened in Harris' usual spot at small forward, with Willie Green getting the start at shooting guard. For the second time in as many starts this week, Green was scoreless in the first half. He ended up with no points in 31 minutes.
Until Fournier's 3-point field goal with less than two minutes remaining, Vucevic and Victor Oladipo were the only Magic players to score in double figures. Oladipo was able to drive to the basket with authority throughout the first half and was largely responsible for the Magic's lopsided 26-2 advantage in points in the paint at one point in the second quarter.
The Magic missed numerous shots near the rim. Vucevic's rebound total was somewhat padded by the four tip-in attempts he had on the same possession during the third quarter.
The Magic have not beaten the Heat since March 2012.
THE TURNING POINT
With the score tied at 77 with 7:34 remaining, the Heat went on a 10-2 run over the next three minutes that included 3-pointers from Mario Chalmers and Chris Bosh.
THE DIFFERENCE MAKER
Bosh, one of the Heat's few bright spots in their 110-93 loss Thursday night at home to the Los Angeles Clippers, went 4 of 6 from 3-point range and finished with 32 points. He also grabbed nine rebounds.
STAT OF THE GAME
The Magic, who had been shooting better than 40 percent from 3-point range through their first 13 games, went 3 of 16 following a 4-of-16 showing at Charlotte.
WHAT'S NEXT
Monday night at Cleveland, 7 p.m.
You can follow Ken Hornack on Twitter @HornackFSFla or email him at khornack32176@gmail.com.
