The Miami Heat have won seven straight games, their longest streak since November of 2023.
Miami, which will host the Orlando Magic on Saturday night, is winning with its depth. Three of the Heat’s top-four scorers have been out lately — Tyler Herro (quadriceps injury) has missed two straight games, Andrew Wiggins (toe) has missed four in a row and Norman Powell (groin) has missed seven consecutive contests.
Yet on Thursday night, Miami’s Pelle Larsson stepped up, scoring a career-high 28 points in a 112-105 win over visiting Milwaukee.
In addition, Heat rookie first-round pick Kasparas Jakucionis scored 18 points, making 5 of 11 3-point attempts.
For the season, Larsson is just seventh on the Heat in scoring (10.7). Jakucionis is 11th (6.1). But the way the Heat are playing lately, anyone can give the team a boost.
Larsson, though, said Heat captain Bam Adebayo — who had a historic 83-point game against the Washington Wizards on Tuesday — has inspired Miami in multiple ways.
“When he speaks, it comes from a place of wanting to win,” Larsson said. “But it’s not just what he tells you guys in the media.
“It’s what we hear every day from the coaches and from each other that has fueled this run. It’s coming from all areas, this energy we’ve had the past seven games.”
The Heat will need that energy to conquer the Magic, who are 4-0 against Miami this season. All four games have been fairly close, with Orlando winning by four, one, nine and nine points, respectively.
Powell has faced Orlando four times this season, averaging 24.8 points. Adebayo, in those four games, is averaging 19.8 points and 11.8 rebounds. Herro scored 20 points in his only game against the Magic this season.
Powell and Herro are listed as questionable, while Wiggins will again sit out.
Meanwhile, the Magic have won six straight games, their longest streak of the season.
In Orlando’s most recent win, Jalen Suggs scored a season-high 28 points as the Magic defeated the Wizards 136-131 in overtime on Thursday.
“When Jalen is playing under control and with poise, he adds a big-time element to our team,” Magic coach Jamahl Mosley said.
The Magic are winning despite missing two of their top-four scorers, as Franz Wagner (21.3) has an ankle injury and Anthony Black (15.3) is dealing with an abdominal issue. Additionally, Jonathan Isaac (2.6 scoring average) left Thursday’s game due to a sprained right knee and will sit out Friday’s game.
“My heart dropped,” Mosley said when asked about his reaction to Isaac’s injury. “We know what he’s been through (in terms of previous injuries).”
Fortunately, the Magic still have players such as Desmond Bane, Paolo Banchero, Suggs, Wendell Carter Jr. and Tristan da Silva.
Banchero is the biggest star, leading the team in scoring (22.2) and rebounds (8.6) while ranking second in assists (5.0). In four games against the Heat this season, he’s averaging 20.5 points, 9.0 rebounds and 2.8 assists.
Bane is third on Orlando in scoring (20.6). In four games against Miami, he is averaging 22.0 points.
Suggs is averaging 14.1 points against the league and 18.0 versus Miami (four games).
Overall, the Magic pride themselves on defense, ranking 11th in the NBA in points allowed (114.0). Miami, meanwhile, ranks second in the league in scoring (120.5), and that matchup will be intriguing.
