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FILE – Miami Heat’s Jimmy Butler # 22 reacts during the second half against the Los Angeles Lakers in Game Three of the 2020 NBA Finals at AdventHealth Arena at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on October 4, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. Douglas P. DeFelice / Getty Images / AFP
The Miami Heat, just seven weeks after losing to the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA Finals, will visit the Orlando Magic on Wednesday night in the season opener for both teams.
From the championship series to the start of the new year, it’s the shortest change in league history, after the pandemic-induced hiatus to the 2019-2020 season.
“Historically, this is different,” acknowledged Heat coach Erik Spoelstra. “But if you constantly go to the Finals, like Golden State, like all LeBron (James) teams, like our old teams, all of those were quick changes too. That’s the price of going after something great. “
Due to the rapid change, Heat star Jimmy Butler, 31, will be on an unspecified minute limit trying to save his legs. He averaged 43 minutes per game during the NBA Finals.
But there will be no such limitations for some of Miami’s outstanding youngsters, including 23-year-old center Bam Adebayo, fresh off a five-year, $ 200 million contract extension signed last month.
Key additions for the Heat this season are Avery Bradley, who left the Lakers in free agency but is questionable for Wednesday due to a hamstring injury; and Precious Achiuwa, Miami’s first-round pick, a 6-9 forward from Memphis.
Meanwhile, Orlando, who finished 33-40 last season, didn’t make big moves in free agency.
Instead, the Magic are building from the inside, recently extending the contracts of two former lottery picks: Jonathan Isaac (four years, $ 80 million) and Markelle Fultz (three years, $ 50 million).
“They both have a bright future and they mean a lot to our organization,” said Orlando president of basketball operations Jeff Weltman.
Orlando also re-signed Gary Clark to a modest two-year, $ 4.1 million deal.
Plus, the Magic are excited about rookie point guard Cole Anthony, who scored 19 points in Orlando’s final preseason game. The Magic won by one over the Charlotte Hornets on Friday, including a float from Anthony who won the game with 14 seconds left.
Anthony, the 15th pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, is used as a backup behind Fultz.
With Isaac out after ACL surgery in August, Orlando’s other stars are Aaron Gordon, Nikola Vucevic and Evan Fournier. Vucevic led Orlando in scoring (19.6) and rebounding (10.9) last season. Fournier was second in scoring (18.5), and Gordon contributed 14.4 points and 3.7 assists.
Terrence Ross, a key member of the Orlando bench, is probably out due to a toe injury. Ross was third on the team in scoring last season, and his 14.7 average ranked first among the bench team.
For Miami, Butler led the team in scoring (19.9) and assists (6.0). Adebayo contributed 15.9 points, 10.2 rebounds and 5.1 assists. Goran Dragic, Miami’s top backup, re-signed with the Heat after finishing second on the team in scoring (16.2) and assists (5.1).
Fans should also keep an eye out for Heat second-year guard Tyler Herro, who won’t turn 21 until next month. Herro made the NBA All-Rookie second team after averaging 13.5 points.
Butler, in a video conference with reporters Monday, said he is confident in the Heat’s chances this season.
“I hope we know we belong,” Butler said. “We can hang out with the best.”
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