By Joel Perez 
So… this whole Orlando Magic curse against the Heat, in favor of the Magic of course, is real! I simply don’t understand how this Orlando group does so freaking well against the Heat. It’s been the same story since the first game of the season, where somehow the Magic just simply come out on top every game, especially this season where the Heat are 0-4 against the Magic. It’s utterly frustrating!
The Magic coming into this game were on a 4-game losing streak, and of course they figured everything out against the Heat, because I guess that’s just how the cookie crumbles.
This Orlando team is an odd one for sure. On paper, I really do enjoy the players on the team, like Paolo Banchero of course, but even him, who’s supposed to be the superstar of this team, has struggled mightily this season to the point where a whole lot of NBA talking heads have discussed the possibility of trading him out of Orlando. And to me, regardless of his play this season… I’m not letting go of a talent like Paolo just like that. SORRY NOT SORRY. Especially with Banchero only being 23 years old.
Franz Wagner has been in and out of the lineup all year, so not much to discuss about him other than hoping he gets fully healthy SOON. Jalen Suggs also in and out, but when he’s in, I do love his game and it really feels like he’s the glue for the Magic. Desmond Bane has pretty much been Desmond Bane, and that’s more than good enough. And then the breakout player for them this year has been Anthony Black, who’s impressed in all areas of his game, including his ball handling and decision making, which has been tremendous for the Magic this season.
We’ll see how far along this Magic team could get, and I don’t necessarily know what the move would be for Orlando to improve prior to the upcoming trade deadline. If I’m them, I’d just try and find some level of consistency and, most importantly, health, and readjust in the offseason depending on how their playoff run goes, assuming they make the playoffs of course.
As for the Heat this game… Simone “Fettuccini” Fontecchio had a hell of a shooting night until Spo took him out later in the fourth, even though he was cooking and hitting what felt like every shot he took, other than the one heat check that was an airball… oh, and the one that hit the back rim even though he shot from the corner, unfortunately so.
One bright side, or bright note, from this game was Bam’s play that’s been consistent on the offensive end over the past couple weeks. And thank God he’s started to turn it up a notch, because his offensive prowess to start out the season was damn near concerning, and that’s coming from me, a huge Bam apologist. I’m sorry, I can’t hide the bias, especially when it comes to one of my guys on the Heat.
Other than Bam and Fontecchio’s offensive play, everyone seemed to be off their game quite a bit. Let’s just hope these next 3 games against Chicago go well and we come out on top in all three of those games. And yes. I did say the next 3 games against Chicago. The next couple games may be a bit unbearable… I’m not gonna lie to you guys.
That’s pretty much it. And man, oh man… the Orlando Magic are really about to sweep us in theseason series… let’s hope and pray we figure it out on March 14th and actually catch a dub against these guys to close it out. It feels like my whole world’s falling apart. Only a Giannis trade can save us… I’M PRAYING!!!
Angel Rivera