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Game #26: Miami Heat (19-6) vs. Orlando Magic (15-10)

By David Dwork
MIAMI, FL - FEBRUARY 07: LeBron James of the Miami Heat shows off his kung-fu moves during a game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at American Airlines Arena. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL - FEBRUARY 07: LeBron James of the Miami Heat shows off his kung-fu moves during a game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at American Airlines Arena. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
Getty Images

For the first time this season, the Miami Heat will go up against their intra-state rivals in Orlando. The Heat packed up after last nights win over Cleveland and headed north, looking to expand their lead over the Magic in the Southeast Division to five games. While both teams have been playing well of late, the Heat have been much better over a longer period of time.

The Heat have won 11 of their last 13 games and three in a row, and that stretch of games allowed Miami to expand their lead over Atlanta and Orlando inside the Southeast Division. The Magic meanwhile had been on their own three game winning streak, but lost 107-102 in overtime to the visiting Clippers on Monday night.

Unfortunately for the Magic, even with the win streak, they have won just 3 of their last 8 games. It's going to take a supreme effort to take down the streaking team from Miami, who is kicking off a 6-game road trip on Wednesday night. It's going to be a very challenging trip for the Heat, as it includes the teams only back-to-back-to-back, three games in three nights set of the season.

GAME NOTES

  • Miami is 7-4 on the road. Orlando is 8-5 at home.
  • This is the first of four games between the Heat and Magic this season.
  • The two teams have split each of the last two season series'. The Heat had lost 12 of the previous 13 meetings.
  • This game completes the 8th back-to-back set of the season for Miami. So far they are 4-3 in the 2nd game of back-to-back's.
  • The Magic lead the NBA in both 3-pointers taken, and 3-pointers made, for the second straight season.
  • The Heat are still listing Mike Miller (hand) as day-to-day.
  • As for Orlando, Hedo Turkoglu, Glen Davis, and Jason Richardson are all listed as day-to-day, though all are expected to play.

Tipoff form the Amway Center is set for 7pm. The game will be broadcast locally on Sun Sports. This game begins a very tough stretch for the Heat, but it will be a good measuring stick to see how far they have come so far this season. Lets Go Heat!

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