Expand / Collapse search
Watch TV
Menu

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. ©2024 FOX News Network, LLC. All rights reserved. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Market data provided by Factset. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Legal Statement. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper.

Sports

Heat close season with win over NBA-worst Magic

By Sports Network
Published | Updated

Miami, FL – Dwyane Wade scored 21 points and dished out 10 assists as the Miami Heat cruised to a 105-93 win over the Orlando Magic in the season finale for both teams.

Mike Miller added 21 points and Rashard Lewis scored 16 points to go with eight rebounds for the Heat, who will have the top seed in the upcoming Eastern Conference Playoffs. Miami, which owns the league's best record (66-16), will face the Milwaukee Bucks in the first round on Sunday.

The guys in the locker room should be very proud," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. "We came in with the type of mentality for success. This was a great opportunity we all had to be part of this team."

Reigning league MVP LeBron James sat the contest out to rest a sore hamstring.

Nikola Vucevic posted his 46th double-double of the season with 20 points and 13 rebounds for the Magic, who finished an NBA-worst 20-62. With the loss, and Charlotte Bobcats victory, Orlando secured the best opportunity at landing the top pick in the NBA Lottery.

"I am going to continue to preach being consistent. That is what this league is about," Magic coach Jacque Vaughn said. "The most consistent team on a nightly basis gives themselves a chance and we continue to work like that.

Miami forced six turnovers in the first quarter and got eight points from Wade to take a 29-20 lead after the first 12 minutes. Beno Udrih tied the game at 7-7 with a runner at the 7:47 mark, but the Heat opened up a 17-7 run to go up 24-14 with just under four minutes to go in the frame.

Miami's lead grew to 13, 53-39, following a Udonis Haslem layup, but the Magic closed the frame on an 8-2 burst to pull within 55-47 at the break.

Orlando got as close as 69-67, but was outscored 14-7 to head into the final frame trailing 85-74.

The Magic couldn't get closer than nine over the final 12 minutes.

Game Notes

Miami extended its franchise record for wins in a season to 66. The Heat won 61 games in 1996-1997 ... Miami won eight straight to end the season ... Juwan Howard scored more points Wednesday night (12), than he had all season (nine) ... Tobias Harris scored 19 points for the Magic, who have dropped 12 straight on the road to end the season.