Jimmy Butler III scored 29 points (20 in the paint), and the Miami Heat went on a 22-8 run in the fourth quarter to beat the Orlando Magic 110-105.
The Magic went on a 12-0 run to lead 81-73 with 11:42 left in the fourth quarter. Gabe Vincent’s 3-pointer put the Heat ahead for good with 9:23 left. Max Strus and Vincent scored 8 points each during the run, and they led 95-89 with 4:19 left.
The Magic got within 99-98 on Wendell Carter Jr.’s 3-pointer with 1:46 to play, but Butler answered with a three-point play, and the Magic got no closer than 107-105.
Tyler Herro’s 2 free throws with 13.6 seconds left made it 109-105 and put it away.
During clutch time, the Heat outscored the Magic 18-13. Butler (No. 3 in clutch points, 2022-23) scored 7 of the Heat’s 18 on 2 for 3 shooting and 3 for 5 at the line.
Bam Adebayo had 20 points (12 in the paint) and 7 assists.
For the Magic, Franz Wagner scored 19 points on 6 for 10 shooting.
The Magic committed 20 turnovers to the Heat’s 11. They got 2 offensive rebounds, about 6 fewer than usual for the shots they missed. The Heat outscored the Magic 54-32 in the paint. The Magic outscored the Heat 32-19 in 12 minutes with Wagner, Bol, Anthony, Wagner and Suggs on the floor together. Carter fouled out.