Jimmy Butler puts up 23 as Heat down Magic
Feb 6, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo (13) looks to pass the ball as Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero (5) defends during the first half at Kaseya Center. credits: Jim Rassol-USA TODAY Sports Jimmy Butler scored 23 points to lead seven Miami players in double figures, and he hit back-to-back 3-pointers that held off a late Magic rally in the Heat's 121-95 win over visiting Orlando on Tuesday.
Miami never trailed, building an advantage of as many as 26 points in the fourth quarter behind an overwhelming defensive effort. The Heat held the Magic to 35-for-80 shooting from the floor (43.8 percent), including 10-for-35 (28.6 percent) from 3-point range, and forced 18 turnovers.
But Orlando opened the fourth quarter with a 13-2 run, cutting the deficit to 10 points midway through the period.
Butler snuffed out the comeback attempt when he made his only two 3-pointers of the night on consecutive possessions, first on a step-back and then when set up by a Terry Rozier assist.
Butler then scored from inside the arc, completing his one-man, 8-0 run to effectively put the game away.
Along with his scoring total, Butler grabbed eight rebounds and dished eight assists. He also made three steals, doing his part as Miami converted Orlando's turnovers into 19 points.
Eight Miami players made at least one 3-point attempt, including Josh Richardson, who went 3-for-3 from deep off the bench en route to 13 points. Jaime Jaquez Jr. added 12 points in a reserve role for his first double-figure-point scoring performance in six games since returning from a groin injury.
Rozier amassed 18 points, seven assists and six rebounds for Miami, which earned its third win in four games and secured the season series against Orlando 3-1. Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo each recorded 14 points, and Caleb Martin scored 11 points.
Paolo Banchero matched Butler's game-high point total with 23, and he grabbed nine rebounds and passed for seven assists in the loss. Wendell Carter Jr. shot 6-for-9 from the floor en route to 15 points. Franz Wagner, who was coming off matching his career high of 38 points, finished with 13 after being stuck in single digits until late in the fourth quarter.
Markelle Fultz also scored 13 points as the Magic had a three-game winning streak end.
—Field Level Media
Three UFC Fighters Facing Uncertain Futures After Mexico
Best 2026 MLB Futures Bets for the NL West
Lu Dort’s Antics Outshine Big Win for Oklahoma City Thunder
Why Tiger Woods Playing the Masters Seems Unlikely
- UFC Mexico City Betting Predictions: Moreno vs Kavanagh Fight Night Picks
- Friday NBA Picks: Pistons vs Cavs, Nuggets vs Thunder, and More
- NL Central 2026 Futures Picks: Brewers, Pirates and Cardinals Bets
- Thursday Feb. 26th NBA Best Bets: Top Basketball Betting Predictions Today
- Three Best College Basketball Bets For Feb. 25th's Slate
- Three Best NBA Bets for Tuesday Feb 24th's Slate
- NL East Future Betting Picks: Season Win Totals and Division Predictions

