MIAMI — In an impressive season opener, Paolo Banchero made a significant impact for the Orlando Magic, scoring 33 points and securing 11 rebounds. Teammate Franz Wagner contributed 23 points as the Magic defeated the Miami Heat decisively with a final score of 116-97. Gary Harris also played a key role in Orlando’s win, adding 18 points all from beyond the arc, as the team recorded an impressive 18 of 49 successful three-point attempts.
On the Miami side, Terry Rozier led the team with 19 points. The Heat were celebrating “Pat Riley Court” night, which included a special ceremony during halftime. Nikola Jovic and Tyler Herro also chipped in with 15 and 14 points, respectively, but the team struggled overall against the Magic’s offense.
During the game, the Magic built a significant lead, at one point being ahead by as much as 32 points in the second half. This display of dominance was epitomized by their performance in the third quarter, where Orlando outscored Miami an impressive 39-18, marking a key moment in the game that showcased their offensive prowess. This was the most dominant third quarter for the Magic on the road since February 2010, when they achieved a similar feat against the Boston Celtics.
One noteworthy takeaway for the Magic was their aggressive strategy from three-point range. Last season, their highest number of three-point attempts in a first half was 23; however, they took 27 attempts in the first half alone during this game, signaling a shift in their approach to perimeter shooting. This shift is crucial, given that they had the fewest three-pointers made in the league last season with only 903.
For the Heat, Jimmy Butler had a tough night on the court, finishing with only three points on 1 of 8 shooting. This marked the fifth occasion in his career where he played over 24 minutes but ended up with three points or less, highlighting a challenging start to the season for the star player.
In terms of historical context, Banchero’s performance has placed him in an exclusive club, as he became the sixth Orlando player to score at least 30 points in a season opener. He joins notable Magic greats such as Tracy McGrady, who achieved this feat twice, and other legends like Shaquille O’Neal, Nick Anderson, and Anfernee Hardaway. Banchero’s 33-point outing ranks him third on the all-time list for season openers, trailing only Anderson and O’Neal, who each scored 42 in the Magic’s history.
Next up for the Orlando Magic is their home opener against the Brooklyn Nets on Friday night, while the Miami Heat will travel to Charlotte to face the Hornets on Saturday evening.
