The Miami Heat visit the Orlando Magic on Wednesday evening in the teams' final tune-up before the regular season begins this Sunday. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 Eastern on Fox Sports Florida (Orlando), Sun Sports (Miami), and NBA TV (national).
In their previous meeting, the defending Eastern Conference champs dealt the Magic a 118-85 defeat behind a balanced offensive effort. LeBron James led the Heat with 19 points, but five other Miami players scored in double-figures, including undrafted free agent Terrel Harris. The Oklahoma State product tallied 16 points off the Heat's bench and shot 4-of-5 from three-point range. Miami dominated Orlando in most respects, but most glaringly in the fast-break department, outscoring the Magic, 22-0, in fast-break chances.
Reserves Ryan Anderson and J.J. Redick paced Orlando with 22 points each, the lone brought spots in an otherwise dismal showing for the visitors. Amid rumors that he's demanded a trade, Magic superstar Dwight Howard shot just 2-of-9 from the floor for five points, while new acquisition Glen Davis had six points, five rebounds, and four fouls in his Magic debut, and point guard Jameer Nelson missed all 10 of his shots. To top it off, starting small forward Hedo Turkoglu bruised his left hip in a collision with Heat big man Chris Bosh. He will not play Wednesday, reports Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel. Former Heat player Quentin Richardson will start in his place.
Orlando will start Nelson and Jason Richardson at the guards, Quentin Richardson and Anderson at the forwards, and Howard at center.
The Heat could reprise their starting lineup from Sunday--Mario Chalmers and Dwyane Wade in the backcourt, James and Bosh up front, Joel Anthony in the middle--or coach Erik Spoelstra could shuffle it a bit. Newcomers Shane Battier and Eddy Curry have been ruled out, however, reports Michael Wallace of ESPN.
For more Magic coverage, please visit Orlando Pinstriped Post, SB Nation's Magic blog. For the Heat perspective, please visit Peninsula is Mightier, SB Nation's Heat blog.