Weekend Watch List: Magic, Heat hit road; Lightning look to stay hot

Published Jan. 8, 2015 8:00 p.m. ET

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Hana Ostapchuk

Now that football has come to an end for Florida's teams, it's time we turn our attention to what's still thriving in the Sunshine State.

Much of this weekend's action takes place on the hardwood. Both the Miami Heat and the Orlando Magic are on road trips out west, and the college basketball teams are marching though their first month of conference play.

Here's a closer look at what to watch for ...

FRIDAY

NHL -- Sabres at Lightning, 7:30 p.m. (Sun Sports)

NHL -- Panthers at Flames, 9 p.m. (FOX Sports Florida)

NBA -- Magic at Lakers, 10:30 p.m. (FOX Sports Florida)

Spotlight: The last time the Lightning took on the Buffalo Sabres, it was New Year's Eve and it was a dominating way to close out the year. The 5-1 victory over Buffalo featured a top-notch performance by their second line, including center Tyler Johnson with three assists, left winger Onrej Palat with one goal and three assists, and right winger Nikita Kucherov with two goals and one assist. The Lightning have been able to keep up the momentum with only one loss since the New Year, while the Sabres have lost five in a row heading into a matchup against Carolina on Thursday.

SATURDAY

CBK -- Boston College at Miami, 4 p.m. (Sun Sports)

CBK -- Mississippi State at Florida, 7 p.m. (Sun Sports)

NBA -- Magic at Trail Blazers, 10 p.m. (FOX Sports Florida)

Spotlight: Last Saturday, Miami lost 89-80 to Virginia in double overtime. The Hurricanes, who have lost three of their past four games after being ranked in the polls early in the season, will have had a week to simmer on their latest loss by the time they welcome Boston College (7-6) to BankUnited Center.

SUNDAY

NBA -- Heat at Clippers, 3:30 p.m. (Sun Sports)

NHL -- Panthers at Oilers, 7 p.m. (FOX Sports Florida)

CBK -- FSU at Syracuse, 8 p.m.

Spotlight: The Heat open a five-game road trip on Thursday in Portland before this Sunday matchup against the Clippers. The Heat enter their road trip losers of seven of their past 10 games, while the Clippers are 6-4 in the past 10 (through Wednesday). In November, the Heat lost at home to the Clippers 110-93, falling behind 39-15 after the first quarter. Following the Clippers, the Heat take on the Los Angeles Lakers, the Golden State Warriors, and the Sacramento Kings to finish out the road trip.

NEWS OF NOTES

-- The Miami Hurricanes announced a 12-year partnership with Adidas on Thursday morning. The deal is the longest agreement Adidas has made with any college program. Starting in September, the Hurricanes will be sporting all Adidas-crafted gear.

-- On Wednesday, Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston announced he is declaring for the 2015 NFL draft. The 2013 Heisman Trophy winner ends his tenure in Tallahassee with a 26-1 record, the best winning percentage in FSU history.

-- Former New York Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum will take over the Miami Dolphins' football operations, as announced Tuesday. Miami's general manager Dennis Hickey will begin reporting to Tannenbaum on Feb. 1, and head coach Joe Philbin will report to owner Stephen Ross.

-- Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans was named a finalist for Rookie of the Year on Tuesday. Evans led the Bucs with 1,051 receiving yards, and he finished with 68 catches and 12 touchdowns. Fans can vote for their favorite of the five finalists through Jan. 29, and the winner will be announced during the Super Bowl.

-- Florida Panthers forward Vincent Trocheck was fined $2,000 for diving during Florida's 4-3 loss against the Washington Capitals on Sunday. The NHL announced Trocheck's fine as supplementary discipline Wednesday. According to the NHL, Trocheck was warned for a previous embellishment Dec. 12, when the Panthers won a shootout against the Detroit Red Wings.

-- Vincent Testaverde, who is the son of Hurricanes legend Vinny, applied to transfer to Miami as a quarterback and is expected to be immediately eligible. His father won the Heisman during his senior year with the Hurricanes in 1986. The younger Testaverde plans to wear a No. 14 jersey in Miami, the same as his father's retired jersey.

TWEET(S) OF THE WEEK

When Jameis Winston's father announced his son's decision to enter the draft, fans and media took to social media to voice their opinions.

The Hurricanes and Adidas agreement was announced via Twitter on Thursday morning.

Then, of course, came the reactions.

And last but not least, rapper Rick Ross declared his love and dedication for the Heat in a rather untraditional way earlier this week: a face tattoo.

You can follow Hana Ostapchuk on Twitter @HanaOstapchuk or email her at HANAMARIE13@AOL.COM.

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