Paolo Banchero shines as Magic stifle Heat

Field Level Media|published: Wed 23rd October, 22:47 2024

Oct 23, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier (2) drives past Orlando Magic guard Jalen Suggs (4) during the first half at Kaseya Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images

Paolo Banchero scored 33 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, leading the Orlando Magic to a 116-97 win over the host Miami Heat in the season opener for both teams on Wednesday night.

Franz Wagner added 23 points for the Magic, and Wendell Carter Jr. had a game-high 14 rebounds.

Orlando earned the win on the night Miami dedicated its court to team president and former coach Pat Riley.

Terry Rozier led Miami with 19 points, and Tyler Herro added 14 points. Also for Miami, Nikola Jovic had 15 points, and Jaime Jaquez Jr. scored 13.

However, Miami's two biggest stars -- Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo -- had off nights.

Butler scored just three points on 1-for-8 shooting. The Heat were minus-30 while he was on the court.

Adebayo had nine points on 1-for-5 shooting. He also had a minus-30 rating.

Magic point guard Jalen Suggs was held to just two points in five minutes in the first half due to foul trouble. But he scored nine points in the third quarter, which is when Orlando outscored Miami 39-18. Suggs finished with 11 points.

Orlando also got 18 points off the bench from Gary Harris, who made 6-of-9 on 3-pointers.

Heat power forward Kevin Love missed the game due to personal reasons.

A seemingly major development happened with 6:45 left in the first quarter as Suggs picked up his third foul and was replaced by Anthony Black.

But the Magic pulled through as that initial period -- after 11 lead changes and seven tied scores -- and the quarter finished in a tie at 32. Banchero led Orlando with 11 points. Jovic led Miami with nine points on 4-for-4 shooting.

In the second quarter, Orlando held Miami to 25 percent shooting, helping the Magic grab a 58-54 halftime lead.

Orlando started the crucial third quarter on an 12-0 run. By the time the quarter ended, Orlando led 97-72.

The Magic cruised in the fourth quarter.

For the game, Orlando made 18 3-pointers and had an 18-9 advantage on the offensive glass.

Miami shot just 39 percent from the floor, including 11-of-34 (32.4 percent) on 3-pointers.

--Field Level Media

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