Despite a slow start to the game and a 13-point deficit after the first quarter, Desmond Bane and the Orlando Magic opened the machine en route to a 117-108 victory in the quarterfinals of the NBA Cup against the Miami Heat. They will now head to Las Vegas on Saturday to face the winner of the game between the New York Knicks and the Toronto Raptors.
Bane has been nothing short of sensational for the Magic. He finished the game with 37 points and six rebounds, despite only being able to score a measly two points in the first quarter.
However, the Heat started the game very well with a streak of 15 unanswered points at the start of the match, gaining a 13-point lead after one quarter. Norman Powell and Tyler Herro each scored 12 points in the first half. However, they were very timid in the second half, finishing the game with 21 and 20 points respectively.
The Magic completely changed the shape of the game in the second quarter, even managing to take the lead for the first time.
In the third quarter, after watching the Magic take a six-point lead, Powell had three straight opportunities to score a three-pointer. Each time, he missed his shots and the Heat was never able to come back.
Bane then scored nine points early in the fourth quarter to give the Magic a 13-point lead, sealing the game.
In the West, the quarter-final matches will be played on Wednesday. First, the powerful Oklahoma City Thunder (23-1) will face the Phoenix Suns (14-10). To close this portion of the competition, the San Antonio Spurs (16-7) meet the Los Angeles Lakers (17-6).
The NBA Cup semi-finals will take place Saturday evening in Las Vegas. The winners of the two association finals will then meet next Tuesday, still in Vegas, for the grand final.
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