Game 1: Magic vs. Heat GameThread

Who: Miami Heat (0-0) at Orlando Magic (0-0)
When: Wednesday, December 23rd, 7:00 PM EST
Where: Amway Center, Orlando, FL
Line: Heat -4.5, O/U: 218.0
TV: Fox Sports Florida
Injuries: Miami - None; Orlando - Al-Farouq Aminu (OUT, knee), James Ennis (OUT, hamstring), Jonathan Isaac (OUT, knee)

Quotes from Cliff

“I love our attitude and the work guys are putting in. You know (I mean), compared to a normal regular season - I would say that we’re in pretty good shape, but not great shape. Guys are slowly getting their rhythm, but it’s going to take a little more time. I think this has been a little more difficult than the bubble actually, from the standpoint of the different types of testing, and we’re still making adjustments (when it comes to) shootarounds, walk-throughs, things like that.” ~ Coach Clifford on his team’s readiness and preparation heading into Opening Night.

“You could sense yesterday in practice , even though their NBA players (guys that have played a lot of games in this league), you could sense the excitement from the team. I don’t think they mind training camp, but they like it when the games start. And that was the same for today’s shoot-around - there was good energy level and you could tell guys were ready to play...so I’ve always liked that dynamic.” ~ Coach Clifford on the emotions of an NBA Opening Night.

Check out our site’s extended preview of tonight’s Magic/Heat game here.

Our Zach Oliver explains why the Magic took a calculated risk by signing Markelle Fultz and Jonathan Isaac to contract extensions Monday.

For perspective from the other site, check out our opponents SB Nation site (Hot Hoops) here.

Join the conversation - leave your pregame and in-game comments below. Feel free to follow us on Twitter at @OPPMagicBlog. And as always - enjoy!