Miami Heat Visit Orlando Magic: Game 26 Preview

The Miami Heat visit the Orlando Magic at the Amway Center in Orlando tonight. This is the first of four contests to be played between the two clubs this season, and the first of two in Orlando. Miami is starting a six game road trip. After tonight's game, they go on to face the Washington Wizards, the Atlanta Hawks, the Milwaukee Bucks and the Indiana Pacers before finishing up against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Orlando is playing the second game of a three game homestand. They dropped a 107-102 overtime affair to the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday, and go on to host the Atlanta Hawks on Friday. Orlando has an 8-5 home record, Miami is 7-4 on the road.

These teams last played in Miami on March 3rd, 2011. Jason Richardson led the Magic with 24 points, and Dwight Howard scored 14 with 18 rebounds. Jameer Nelson added 16 with seven assists. The Heat were paced by LeBron James 29 points with six rebounds and by Dwyane Wade with 28 points, five assists and four steals. Heat coach Erik Spoelstra was quoted after the game, according to NBA.COM,

"We're being measured right now. We just need to keep pushing through. There's no other way to say it. The guys really wanted this one. For most of the game, we played hard enough to get it done and then the tide turned."

Orlando Magic vs Miami Heat Full Highlights 3/3/2011 (via NBAIntelligence)

Miami is coming off a 107-91 home victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers last night. Dwyane Wade led the Heat with 26 points, six assists and three steals. LeBron James scored 24 points with six assists and five rebounds, Chris Bosh scored 15 with nine rebounds, and Udonis Haslem pitched in with 14 points and eight boards. The Cavs were paced by Antawn Jamison's 25 points and nine rebounds, Anderson Varejao scored 11 points with 11 boards, and Kyrie Irving had 16 points, six rebounds and six assists.

The Los Angeles Clippers defeated the Magic in Orlando on Monday night, 107-102 in overtime. For the Magic, Dwight Howard scored 33 points and grabbed 14 rebounds, Jameer Nelson had 15 points with 12 assists, and Jason Richardson added 20 in the losing effort. Chris Paul led the Clippers, scoring 29 points, dishing out eight assists and grabbing seven rebounds. Blake Griffin scored 18 with 10 rebounds, and Chauncey Billups also added 18 in the Clippers road victory. Griffin spoke with the media after the game, according to NBA.COM,

"We are in the middle of a six-game road trip. To start 2-0 and get a win like that against a good team like that is good for us and good for our confidence."

NBA CIRCLE - LA Clippers Vs Orlando Magic Highlights Feb 06, 2012 Game Recap (via NBACIRCLE)

Standings:

Miami Heat: 19-6, first in the Southeast Division, second in the Eastern Conference, third in the NBA. on pace for a 50-16 record. Last five games: W-L-W-W-W

Orlando Magic: 15-10, third in the Southeast Division, sixth in the Eastern Conference, tied for ninth in the NBA, on pace for a 40-26 record. Last five games: L-W-W-W-L

Season Series: 0-0

All-Time Series: Miami, 45-42

Gametime: 7:00 ET