Published initially on Field Level Media and last updated on December 19, 23.

The Orlando Magic will play another Eastern Conference adversary, the Miami Heat, on the road on Wednesday night, following two defeats on the road against the Boston Celtics.

Orlando enters the matchup against Miami with a nine-game winning streak at home after Miami’s Monday loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves 112-108.

After shooting 38.2 percent from the field in Sunday’s 114-97 loss to Boston, the Magic are trying to get back on track.

The only other Magic player to score in double figures (13 points) was Jalen Suggs. Orlando forward Paolo Banchero finished with 36 points and 10 rebounds. Franz Wagner was limited to just eight points on three of his fourteen free throw attempts.

Orlando managed to stay in the game for a large portion of it despite their shooting difficulties and only committed eight turnovers.

“This is not a moral victory,” Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley declared. “We’re developing and we competed. It’s true that those are wonderful things. The truth is that these men are upset about losing the game because they believe they can play with the best teams and that they are at a good level of basketball.”

Banchero’s performance versus Boston was one bright spot; he shot 14 of 30 from the field and recorded his sixth double-double of the year. 26 points from him in the first frame.

“Just taking whatever they give me,” Banchero remarked. “…playing at my own speed, making advantage of my stature, and then just being aggressive—making and taking my own shots. Although they are a formidable squad, I would have like to perform better in the second half.”

Miami, which saw two of its main starters return to the lineup on Monday, had defeated Orlando eight times out of the previous ten encounters.

After missing seven games due to a left hip contusion, Bam Adebayo made a comeback, and Tyler Herro was back after missing eighteen games due to a damaged right ankle. Both had an instant effect on Minnesota’s defeat.

In 33 minutes, Herro scored a team-high 25 points on 10-of-18 shooting.

“Obviously my wind was still needing to catch up, but I felt good,” Herro stated. “I felt that I performed better than I had anticipated, but I felt that I had more rhythm. Since I knew I would return, I didn’t want to break the pattern. I persisted and made every effort to get myself ready to return.”

Adebayo contributed significantly to the victory over Minnesota, which went to 20-5. In 36 minutes, the two-time All-Star scored 22 points, grabbed six rebounds, and dished out six assists.

Adebayo declared, “came out unscathed.” “I left the court in good health and spirits. I was simply beginning to appreciate competing once more. The most important thing is to compete, shake off some of the rust, and then get back at it.”

With five players scoring in double digits against the Timberwolves, Miami’s lineup was able to extend thanks to their comeback. Josh Richardson scored 13, Jimmy Butler scored 15, Duncan Robinson scored 14, and Kevin Love scored nine points and pulled down ten rebounds.

Due to discomfort, Heat point guard Kyle Lowry missed Monday’s game. The 37-year-old has averaging 10.1 points and 3.7 assists over his previous seven games. This season, he has made a team-high 25 starts.