Magic beat Heat in overtime despite 38 points by Butler
Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler, right, questions a call with official Natalie Sago (9) during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Orlando Magic, Saturday, March 11, 2023, in Orlando, Fla. Credit: AP/Phelan M. Ebenhack
ORLANDO, Fla. — Wendell Carter had 27 points and 11 rebounds and the Orlando Magic bounced back from a fourth-quarter collapse to beat the Miami Heat 126-114 in overtime Saturday night.
Jimmy Butler scored 38 points for the Heat, including 15 in the final six minutes of the fourth quarter when Miami overcame a 15-point deficit. Butler's 3-pointer at the buzzer sent the game to overtime.
The finish of the fourth quarter included a wild sequence during which Paolo Banchero’s foul on a 3-point attempt by Butler with 14.5 seconds left was overturned by a replay.
Banchero had 17 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists for the Magic. Franz Wagner had 17 points and eight rebounds before leaving with an ankle injury early in the fourth quarter.
Wagner's 3-pointer late in the first quarter gave Orlando a 12-point lead, but Butler scored twice during a 12-0 run that got the Heat quickly back into the game.
Heat guard Kyle Lowry played 36 minutes in his first game in more than a month, and did so without starting for the first time in more than a decade.
He had missed his team’s last 15 games with soreness in his left knee and his return was as a backup behind starter Gabe Vincent. It was Lowry’s first time playing as a reserve since Jan. 26, 2013. He had started in each of his last 771 games, including 94 in the playoffs.
Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero, left, goes up to shoot in front of Miami Heat forward Kevin Love (42) and center Cody Zeller (44) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, March 11, 2023, in Orlando, Fla. Credit: AP/Phelan M. Ebenhack
TIP-INS
Heat: Miami lost C Cody Zeller in the first half after he collided with Orlando’s Jalen Suggs. Zeller needed stitches to repair a cut near his right eye and was being evaluated to determine if he had other facial injuries. ... Zeller’s injury led to C Omer Yurtseven playing for the first time this season after missing much of the year with an ankle injury. ... G Duncan Robinson (health and safety protocols) missed the game, as did F Caleb Martin (left knee soreness).
Magic: Carter Jr. returned after a three-game absence and was back in the starting lineup, leading Orlando to a 54-35 rebound advantage. ... Orlando plays the Heat only once more this season on April 9 in the regular-season finale for both clubs, at Miami.
UD’S FINALE
Orlando Magic guard Markelle Fultz (20) shoots in front of Miami Heat center Cody Zeller (44) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, March 11, 2023, in Orlando, Fla. Credit: AP/Phelan M. Ebenhack
It was the 40th and, barring an unlikely playoff meeting, the final time Miami would visit Orlando with Udonis Haslem on the Heat roster. He’s retiring after the season.
UP NEXT
Heat: Host Utah on Monday.
Magic: Visit San Antonio on Tuesday. —
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