The Miami Heat opened their 2017-18 NBA regular season with a loss on the road to the Orlando Magic. Here are three takeaways from the game.
Disappointing is the first word that springs to mind to describe the Miami Heat and their 2017-18 season-opening loss to the Orlando Magic.
Having roared out of the gates to take a 37-32 lead at the end of the first period, the Heat went cold over the second and third quarters on their way to a 116-109 loss.
Center Hassan Whiteside led the way for the Heat with 26 points and 22 rebounds, with 14 of those points coming in the final quarter. Goran Dragic posted 17 points and six assists, while his backcourt partner Dion Waiters added 15 points and four assists.
After falling behind 97-80 a couple of minutes into the final quarter, the Heat then compiled a 23-8 run, largely on the back of forward James Johnson. Having played just eight minutes through the first three-quarters due to foul trouble, Johnson emerged to post four points, six assists and three rebounds in the final 10 minutes of the game.
Unfortunately for the Heat, the Magic were able to break the shackles in hitting multiple clutch shots down the stretch. This continued a nightmare recent streak against the Magic, marking their fourth consecutive regular season loss to their Florida counterpart.
Goran Dragic scores the first basket for your Miami Heat's 2017-2018 season! Catch all the action on FOX Sports Sun. pic.twitter.com/z1cG2SAQYu
— Bally Sports Florida & Bally Sports Sun (@BallySportsFL) October 18, 2017
In reviewing the game, here are three key takeaways from the Magic loss.