In a matchup between Sunshine State foes that aim to push the pace on a nightly basis, it was the Magic who got the better of the Heat during the closing moments of Friday’s matchup inside a rowdy Kia Center.
Orlando, who trailed by three points at the break, leaned on its defense in the second half and forced a stop on the final play of the game to end up on top 106-105 over Miami.
Playing in his first game since Nov. 12, Paolo Banchero notched 9 points while Franz Wagner (32) and Jalen Suggs (22) did the heavy lifting on the offensive end of the floor in a contest that was tied 9 times and featured 10 lead changes.