No Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner, Jalen Suggs or even Gary Harris. A Moritz Wagner who has to leave his teammates in the first quarter. A match totally dominated by the Heat. 25 points behind in the first half and another 22 points behind at the start of the fourth quarter…
Over the last five seasons, including the playoffs, such a lead always guaranteed victory since the 796 teams that started the fourth quarter with at least 22 points had all won.
Except that the NBA remains an unpredictable world and, even very weakened, the Magic achieved a miracle by winning the fourth quarter 37-8 behind the 13 points of Cole Anthony. Opposite, the Heat completely collapsed, with a 2/18 shooting in the last period, including 1/6 for Bam Adebayo and 0/5 for Tyler Herro !
Punished by game karma
“We were too relaxed because we were in the lead” can only see the interior of Miami. “I feel like it was the karma of the game that punished us. »
For his coach, no advance is now comfortable. “This is the modern NBA, right? This twenty-point lead is no longer what it was ten years ago. We have to finish the job” repeats Erik Spoelstra.
Despite the injuries plaguing the group, the Magic confirm that it is extremely difficult to win at the Kia Center. This group never gives up, to the great pride of their coach.
“We can’t really explain it” concludes Jamahl Mosley on the character of his team. “It’s something I’ve never seen before. I have never seen that, in all my years in the league, this ability to fight despite all the circumstances that can ruin things at the start of a match. »
