Dwayne Wade’s 31 points and 8 rebounds led the Miami Heat to a 91-81 win over the visiting Orlando Magic Sunday night.
The Heat’s swarming defense forced 18 Magic turnovers and held their in-state rivals to 39% shooting from the field and 36% from beyond the arc.
Dwight Howard finished with 18 points and 11 rebounds followed by Quentin Richardson’s 15 connecting on five 3’s.
Chris Bosh started the offense for Miami hitting his first five shots and helping his team to a 31-22 first quarter advantage.
“Our effort defensively early in the game was not there,” Magic coach Stan Van Gundy said. “We did not come to play.
Wade scored 14 of his 31 points in the fourth quarter. LeBron James added 14 points, 12 rebounds, 7 assists and 5 steals.
“I don’t think (Wade) ever had a bad game against us,” Van Gundy said. “Every game he’s played it’s been a great game. We never do a decent job on him.”
The Magic pulled within one, 69-68 but the Heat went on an 18-7 run capped by a Shane Battier three with just 2 min to play.
“It’s the small things that matter in games like this,” Howard said post game. “Against a team like this you have to execute for 48 minutes.”
The Orlando Magic will face off against the Chicago Bulls Monday night at the Amway Center before they get a night off, hosting Steve Nash and the Phoenix Suns Wednesday evening, tip off set for 7pm.
