It is Miami Heat gameday once again, as the squad is back at home to host their in-state rival Orlando Magic. It will be the first of two straight matchups inside the Kaseya Center to conclude the team’s rough month of January.
Miami is coming off an overdue bounce back victory against the Brooklyn Nets over the weekend, and got back to a .500 record at 22-22 overall near halfway point of the season. However, they have lost five of their last seven games and have limped to an inconsistent 5-5 over their last 10 matchups.
Despite the Brooklyn win, this Heat group won’t have any chance to build on that momentum. Jimmy Butler is indeed back (once again), and a lot of attention will likely be shifting towards the disgruntled star. It is unclear whether he will be starting, playing off the bench or benched entirely— but he is listed as available.
As for the Magic, they will look quite different than the previous two matchups with Miami in Orlando. They have the services of their All-Star Paolo Banchero healthy and back in the lineup, along with the talented Franz Wagner. The Magic are coming off a 121-113 win against the Detroit Pistons, but have experienced some struggles themselves as of late.
Orlando is just 3-7 over their last 10 games and have dropped to the Eastern Conference’s seventh seed; just .5 games ahead of the Heat.
This will be a crucial matchup for both teams as they continue to fight for positioning in the East standings. Tonight’s tipoff will take place at 7:30 PM EST on FanDuel Sports Network Sun with Eric Reid and John Crotty on the call.
Injury Report (at the time of this publishing):
Miami Heat:
- Jaime Jaquez Jr. (illness) — QUESTIONABLE
- Josh Richardson (heel) — OUT
- Isaiah Stevens (g-league) — OUT
- Dru Smith (achilles) — OUT
Orlando Magic:
- Goga Bitadze (concussion) — QUESTIONABLE
- Jalen Suggs (quad) — QUESTIONABLE
- Gary Harris (hamstring) — OUT
- Mac McClung (g-league) — OUT
- Moritz Wagner (knee) — OUT
Projected Starting 5 (subject to change):
Miami Heat:
- Tyler Herro, G
- Duncan Robinson, G
- Jimmy Butler, F
- Bam Adebayo, C
- Kel’el Ware, C
Orlando Magic:
- Jalen Suggs, G
- Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, G
- Paolo Banchero, F
- Franz Wagner, F
- Wendell Carter Jr., C
Broadcast Info:
- Tipoff: 7:30 PM EST
- TV: Fanduel Sports Network Sun
- Radio: AM 560 Sports WQAM & The HEAT Radio Network (Jason Jackson)
- Spanish Radio: WAQI 710 AM & The HEAT Spanish Radio Network (José Pañeda)
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It makes me want to spew to see Butler listed as starting. Mark my words, if he gets injured, we are screwed now and in the future.
I actually think he’s going to get injured after being traded. Not because I want him to. He’s put a ton of negative energy out there. He’s also been cycling between loafing and being suspended. If he gets traded to the Suns you know he’s going to try and go playoff Jimmy to prove to everyone that he’s “still in my prime if I’m being brutally honest” which I can see lead to a strain or some ailment. Jmo
The Banchero-Wagner combo will be difficult to guard. They’re going to get theirs that’s for sure. I can’t even say have Jimmy guard one of them as he will be doing the OLE all night.