ORLANDO, FL – The Orlando Magic opened the 2020-21 NBA season with a 113-107 win over the 2020 Eastern Conference finalists, the Miami Heat.
Orlando was led by clutch shooting from Evan Fournier, who scored 24 points, putting in 3 of 5 3 point shots. Terrance Ross scored 19 points, including 50% from deep. Aaron Gordon scored 20 points with 7 rebounds, and Nicole Vuceavic led the team with 11 rebounds, and 15 points.
Miami’s Bam Adebayo also scored 25 points in the game with 11 rebounds and 4 assists.
The Magic were led by more aggressive play by Forward Aaron Gordon and point guard Markelle Fultz, who caused havoc on the Heat’s interior defense.
““I think we just are going to have spurts where the ball might not be going (in).” Said Fultz “We got to keep playing defense, keep trying to create turnovers or (cause) havoc on defense to make us get some easy offense. I think that we just stuck with it on the defensive end.”
The Magic did have a point in the 4th quarter, where Aaron Gordon wasn’t on the floor due to his foul count, and Orlando went 4 minutes without scoring.
Fournier said that they were getting frustrated, but they grouped together, got out the frustration and worked their way out of it.
Fultz went on to describe how they worked out of it.
We put together some stops and got some rebounds. “Said Fultz “It wasn’t falling. But a big emphasis is crashing the glass. We got a couple offensive rebounds. Just giving us energy. We were just trying to fight and find a way to win the game.”
The Magic next travel on a two city, three game trip, starring with Washington. They face the Wizards on Saturday and Sunday, and then head to face Oklahoma City to face the Thunder on Tuesday.
The Magic head back to Amway to face the 76ers no New Year’s Eve.
