NBA Preview: Magic and Heat Kickoff Season in Orlando

Their will be a Florida showdown between the Miami Heat and Orlando Magic on day two of the NBA new season.

Miami’s Roster change

Both teams are coming into the 2016-2017 season with major roster changes. This will be Miami’s first game without Dwayne Wade on its roster before drafting him back in 2003. Wade appeared in 74 games last season, averaging 19.0 points per game. Miami had the 7th best ranked offense last year, led by Chris Bosh with 19.1 points per game, while only appearing in 53 games. The Miami Heat won the season series against the Orlando Magic last year 3-1. The Heat  averaged 110 points per game against the Magic.

Miami had the leagues’ number one shot blocker per game (3.68) and third leading rebounder (11.8) in Hassan Whiteside. Miami will look to keep up their defensive identity after finishing with the 5th ranked defense in opponents points per game (98.4).

Whiteside led Miami in points (14.8), rebounds (10.3) and blocks (2.3) per contest during the preseason, while also shooting 65.5 percent from the field.

When it's (finally) game day… #MidnightMood #HEATisOn pic.twitter.com/isoVihkZZ3

— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) October 26, 2016

Orlando’s roster change

The Orlando Magic on the other end will look to improve on the defensive end. The Magic ranked 18th in opponents points per game (103.7).

This could have helped influence the trade that sent Victor Oladipo to the Thunder for Serge Ibaka. The trade didn’t just improve the Magic defensive presence. The trade could also help Shooting Guard, Evan Fournier tap into his potential.

Fournier led Orlando in scoring during the preseason with 18.0 points per game.

Game 1 of 82

The season starts today

HEAT vs Magic @ 7PM pic.twitter.com/avgXkdgdfN

— Dont Hate The H3at (@DontHateTheH3at) October 26, 2016

The Heat have won 15 of the last 17 games against Orlando.  The game will tipoff at the Amway Center in Orlando at 7 p.m.

The Heat are underdogs on the season but still remains confident says Spoelstra,“That’s what makes us who we are. We’re stubborn in our belief about those expectations and we feel like this group has a big ceiling.”