GAME PREVIEW: Heat host Magic, looking for winning record

GAME STORY

The Miami Heat are looking to move above .500 for the first time this season when they host the Orlando Magic to open up the second half of the season.

Winners, of 7 of their last 8 games, the Heat rolled into the All-Star break playing well and getting more healthy. With all of their players staying home from All-Star Sunday, Miami is poised to start their journey back to the top half of the Eastern Conference.

The Orlando Magic, who beat the Heat on the opening night has had a rough season so far, right now sitting at 13-23 and near the bottom of the Eastern Conference. They are getting trade calls about their players and seemingly headed for the lottery. But the Magic always gives the Heat problems, an All-Star (and Heat trade target) Nikola Vucevic will be plenty to handle in this game, especially because the Heat will again be without Bam Adebayo nursing a knee issue.

The Heat and Magic both want to start off this part of the season on a good note. If the Heat wins, they could find themselves in a tie for 4th in the East by the end of the night.

ODDS: FiveThirtyEight gives the Heat a 77% chance to win the game.

HEAT VS MAGIC: THURSDAY, MARCH 11 AT 8:00 PM.

INJURIES

MIAMI:

• Meyers Leonard: out for season (shoulder)
• Avery Bradley: out (calf)
• Bam Adebayo: out (knee)

ORLANDO:

• Markelle Fultz: out for season (knee)
• Jonathan Isaac: out for season (knee)
• Cole Anthony: out (rib)
• Aaron Gordon: out (ankle)

LINEUPS

BROADCAST INFO

TV: FOX SPORTS SUN
RADIO: The Ticket 790AM & The HEAT Radio Network (Mike Inglis, Ruth Riley Hunter)
SPANISH RADIO: WAQI 710AM & The HEAT Spanish Radio Network (José Pañeda, Joe Pujala)

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