Tyler Herro delivered in crunch time Thursday night, sinking a 19-foot jumper with 0.5 seconds remaining to give the Miami Heat an 89-88 victory over the Orlando Magic. The game-winner capped an impressive comeback for the Heat, who rallied from a 17-point first-half deficit to avenge last Friday’s heartbreaking loss to the Magic.
Orlando’s Jalen Suggs, who scored a game-high 29 points, had a chance to answer, but his long jumper at the buzzer missed its mark.
The Heat, playing their third consecutive game without Jimmy Butler, leaned on Herro, who finished with 20 points, and a balanced offensive effort to secure the win. Alec Burks contributed 11 of his 17 points in the fourth quarter, while rookie Jaime Jaquez Jr. added 15 points. Miami’s resilience was on full display as they battled back after a rough start that saw them fall behind 14-0 due to five early turnovers and missed opportunities.
The Heat’s long-range shooting proved pivotal, as they connected on 15 of 30 three-point attempts, including six in the fourth quarter. Their defensive intensity also played a key role, forcing the Magic into 23 turnovers—nine of which came in the final period.
Despite a strong start, the Magic struggled offensively after scoring 31 points in the first quarter. Orlando managed only 57 points over the final three quarters and remained cold from beyond the arc, hitting just 5 of 29 attempts. Tristan da Silva scored 18 points and grabbed six rebounds, while Goga Bitadze tipped in a crucial basket to give the Magic an 88-87 lead with 4.9 seconds left. Unfortunately for Orlando, Herro’s heroics erased that advantage.
Miami showed resilience, bouncing back from a blown 25-point lead against Orlando last week. Without Butler, the team relied on their three-point shooting and depth to grind out the win. Their ability to make clutch plays, including Herro’s dagger, demonstrated their resolve.
The Magic continue to struggle with turnovers and perimeter shooting. Despite a strong start and standout performances from Suggs and da Silva, their inability to protect the ball and convert from deep cost them dearly in the end.
After Bitadze’s tip-in put Orlando ahead, the Heat called timeout to set up their final play. Herro dribbled to his spot near the top of the key and calmly drained the jumper with 0.5 seconds left, silencing the Amway Center crowd. Suggs’ desperate heave at the buzzer was off-target, sealing the win for Miami.
Turnovers told the story of the game. The Magic’s 23 giveaways—compared to Miami’s 21—proved critical, especially in the fourth quarter when Orlando coughed up the ball nine times.
The Heat (18-12) will travel to Atlanta to face the Hawks on Saturday, while the Magic (16-14) continue their homestand, hosting the New York Knicks on Friday night.
