Jan

25

D-Wade And Chalmers Help Heat Hold Back Magic Win 103-97

Posted by Jeff Sack under NBA Game Recap 

Dwyane Wade 1.23a

The Orlando Magic almost avoided the “hangover loss” as they furiously tried to make up lost ground in the fourth quarter but fell short, and lost to the Miami Heat Saturday night 103-97. The Magic looked like zombies in the third, but would get back in sync in the final 12 minutes of play. However a huge steal by rookie guard Mario Chalmers with 5 seconds left would be the game changing play, and Miami defeated the Magic after falling to the team from Orlando in their 10 previous meetings. Dwyane Wade led all players with 27 points, while Chalmers added 20 for the Heat.

After the Magic fell Thursday night to the Boston Celtics on Thursday night, knocking them from the top of the Association record wise, the loss Saturday night was almost a “fait accompli“.  Most times after a team loses a big game their is what I have termed for years the “hangover loss“, in the next contest (surprisingly the Cleveland Cavaliers were able to defeat the jinx, beating the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday after losing to the Lakers on Monday.) The Magic almost looked resigned to losing in the third before battling back in the fourth.

Both teams played well in the first half, with Miami holding on to a slim 32-29 lead at the end of the first quarter. The “Batman” Orlando veteran forward Tony Battie sank a shot 8 feet from the hoop at the buzzer, and Miami led 56-52 as the contest reached the half. Orlando took the floor in the third, but they left their offense in the locker room, and the Heat pulled out to a healthy 83-68 lead heading into the fourth. Orlando regrouped and with 1:21 left in the contest Courtney Lee drained a mid-range jumper to pull the Magic within 3 points, as the Miami led 100-97. Neither team could get a basket to fall, and then with 15 seconds to play Magic center Dwight Howard blocked a  hook shot by Daequan Cook, and Hedo Turkoglu got the rebound. Turkoglu got the ball to Jameer Nelson, and with 5 seconds left Chalmers stole the ball, clinching the win for the Heat.

Dwyane Wade had a game high 27 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists, and 1 block, while the rookie Chalmers added 20 points, 6 assists, 3 steals, and 1 rebound. Udonis Haslem scored 12 points, with 3 rebounds, while the team’s other rookie Michael Beasley came off the bench with 10 points, 5 rebounds, and 1 assist. Chris Quinn also contributed 10 points, 4 rebounds, and 1 assist.

Dwight Howard recorded a double-double, as the All-Star had 22 points, 10 rebounds, and 3 blocks, Rashard Lewis scored 21 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 block. Hedo Turkoglu added 18 points, 6 assists, and 6 rebounds, while Jameer Nelson put in 16 points, 7 assists, 4 rebounds, and 1 steal. Miami improves to 23-19, and Orlando is 33-10.

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