By Melissa Potes
EBC Florida Bureau
ORLANDO, Florida (Eagle News) – The red-hot Miami Heat notched their fifth-straight win, dominating against the struggling Orlando Magic 115-91 in front of a sell-out crowd of 18,846 at the Amway Center. The victory brought them to .500 for the season and marked the 500th coaching victory for head coach Erik Spoelstra.
With six players scoring in double digits, the Heat had great ball movement and played with Coach Spoelstra’s vision for the game as the Magic never capitalized on their opportunities to overcome their deficit.
Forward Tyler Johnson led the Heat with 25 points. Evan Fournier (17 points) and forward Aaron Gordon (14 points), led the way for the Magic.
With this win, Spoelstra became the 32nd NBA coach to reach 500 career wins and only the sixth youngest coach to reach this feat with a single team. Since his coaching debut in the 2008-09 season, Spoelstra has a coaching record of 500-336 and two NBA titles.
“I’m humbled by that. It doesn’t even register as real to me right now. And that’s why I’m always just so grateful for the Arisons and Pat [Riley] for giving me this opportunity,” said Spoelstra. “There have been a lot of low points and incredible moments, but you don’t get to survive those low points if you don’t have the belief of the people above you.”
Dwayne Wade finished with 10 points and four assists in his final game in Orlando. The superstar would be greeted with cheers and even chants of “M-V-P” on his free-throw attempts. The Magic organization played a video tribute entitled “One Last Dance” during the second quarter where Magic players recounted Wade’s legacy and his importance to the NBA.
“It’s been great. I definitely appreciate it,” said Wade. “I’ve had some great moments here in Orlando. I did know that this was my last time playing here and we obviously wanted to win and have fun and enjoy it…and give them some love on my way out.”
(Eagle News Service)
