Magic vs. Heat Game Thread

The Magic kick off trade deadline week with a match-up against the Heat in Miami.

By the time the ball is tipped, less that 72 hours will remain for the Magic brass to decide whether to make a move or stay the course, meaning each game could be the last in a Magic uniform for certain players on the team.

The Magic are coming off a disheartening performance in which they didn't exactly showcase their talents for potential trade partners. Coming off an impressive stretch during which the Magic moved the ball and knocked down shots at an efficient rate, they regressed on Saturday against the Wizards, who were without John Wall.

Despite a spark from their second unit, the Magic came out lethargic in the third quarter, allowing the Wizards to build a 24-point advantage.

Orlando could again be without leading scorer Aaron Gordon, who has missed the previous three games with a strained hip flexor and, as of Monday morning, was listed as questionable for the Heat game.

Miami, which has defeated the Magic in two of three match-ups so far this season, have also struggled of late, dropping three straight games. With a defensive rating of 104.1, seventh best in the league, the Heat are 17-6 when they hold opponents under 100 points. That, of course, is much easier to do when they have a healthy Hassan Whiteside, who missed Saturday's loss to the Pistons due to an illness and was listed as questionable on Monday morning. Without Whiteside against the Pistons, the Heat were dominated on the glass and allowed Miami to score at will in the paint.

The Magic, who currently own the worst record in the league at 15-36, Monday's game will be the first in a back-to-back, which concludes in Orlando on Tuesday when the Cavs come to town.