Dennis Neumann and Richie Adubato will anwer the Magic Radio Internet question of the night during every game this season. Email your question to MagicRadio@orlandomagic.com. Emailers could win a chance to sit courtside at a Magic home game with Dennis and Richie!
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | F | |
| MAGIC | 23 | 34 | 22 | 21 | 100 |
| HEAT | 27 | 15 | 25 | 25 | 92 |
Preview:
Jacksonville will play host to the Orlando Magic and Miami Heat at 7:30 p.m. Satuirday night in the 2008 pre-season meeting between the two Florida squads. Miami will be the home team when the tip-off is tossed.
Thursday morning at 10:30 a.m., the Orlando Magic took on Charlotte in their first road game of the pre-season. Rashard Lewis led the way in that contest with 26 points as the Magic went on to win by a score of 94-84 over the Bobcats. Now they are back in Florida for their second road game of the pre-season against the Heat, followed by a trip to Atlanta for a Monday night game. Orlando is 3-1 in the pre-season overall.
The Magic previously called Jacksonville their home for training camp but have since moved the week of practices back to the RDV Sportsplex gym. Still, the Heat will be the home team and look to notch their first win of the pre-season under new head coach Erik Spoelstra.
Dwayne Wade has some new running mates this season, as the Heat picked up First-Team All-American power forward Michael Beasley with the second overall pick in the draft this year and Mario Chalmers fell to them in the second round. Beasley has started all three pre-season games and is averaging just over 16 points per game. Wade has also performed well, averaging 16.7 ppg, leading the team in that category. The combination of Beasley, Wade and Shawn Marion should be an effective offensive arsenal for the Heat this season.
For the Heat, this year is their opportunity to turn around from a dreadful 2007-08 campaign in which they won only 15 games. Their performance has been poor thus far in the pre-season and they have lost every time they've taken the court. The Bobcats played poorly against the Magic on October 8 in their first pre-season game under new head coach Larry Brown and played much better in Thursday's game. Expect the Heat to do the same, as they have had a week to practice since their last game.
The Magic might be short-handed in their rotation, as Mike Wilks will not play due to a knee sprain and Anthony Johnson (eye abrasion), Tony Battie (fractured left ring finger) and Hedo Turkoglu (right groin strain) are listed as day-to-day.
Back to top
Keys to the game:
Home crowd:Technically, this is a home game for Miami. Realistically, it's a home game for Orlando. The Magic have previously held training camp in Jacksonville and are much closer in proximity. The crowd can play a big factor in games, especially from the free throw line. Fans attending the inter-state match-up at the neutral site may play a large factor in the game as a result.
Perimeter defense: Orlando has struggled in pre-season thus far keeping quick, agile players out of the lane. Gerald Wallace of the Charlotte Bobcats is exhibit A; he has taken 18 free throws in two games against the Magic. With Dwayne Wade on the court, the Magic will have to play defense with their feet rather than their hands when he attempts to slash to the basket.
Back to top
Game Notes:
Oct. 18 @ Miami (@ Jacksonville, FL - preseason): Orlando is 35-40 vs. Miami (20-18 at home, 15-22 on the road) during regular season action, including a perfect 4-0 last season…Orlando is 13-16 all-time vs. Miami during preseason action...Orlando is 2-3 vs. Miami during the playoffs (1997 first round)...Orlando has won the last nine regular season meetings with the Heat (last loss: Feb. 15, 2006 @ Miami, 100-110)…The Magic have won the last four meetings at home…Orlando has won its last five games in Miami…Stan Van Gundy served as the Heat’s head coach for two-plus years from 2003-05, compiling a 112-73 (.605) record, and was with the Heat for 12 years in various capacities…For last season’s stats and Magic career numbers vs. Miami, see p. 251 of the media guide. BEST ALL-TIME SCORING PERFORMANCE VS. HEAT: 42 pts., Shaquille O’Neal (@ Miami, 11-5-93); Nick Anderson (@ Orlando, 11-16-92)
Back to top
