Magic defeat Heat to reach NBA Cup semi-finals

BSS
Published On: 10 Dec 2025, 08:55

WASHINGTON, United States, Dec 10, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - Desmond Bane scored 37 points and the Orlando Magic advanced to the NBA Cup semi-finals by defeating Miami 117-108 on Tuesday.

The Magic, without top scorer Franz Wagner due to a high ankle sprain, won for the 11th time in 15 games and improved to 5-0 in Cup play.

Bane went 6-of-9 from three-point range, added six rebounds and five assists and Jalen Suggs scored 20 for Orlando.

"We need these reps. We need to play in these meaningful games," Bane said. "We're a young team trying to make something happen like a run so we need these moments."

Orlando will face the winner of a later Cup quarter-final between New York and Toronto in Saturday's semi-finals at Las Vegas.

Bane scored 15 points in the fourth quarter to deny Miami any chance of a comeback.

"Winning time," Bane said. "That's all I care about is winning."

Paolo Banchero, who returned last Friday after missing 10 games with a groin strain, added 18 points for the Magic, who delivered Miami a fourth consecutive loss.

Orlando beat Miami in their two prior meetings this season but the Heat seized a 15-0 lead with Tyler Herro scoring seven points, and held a 30-17 lead after the first quarter.

A 14-4 run in the second quarter lifted the Magic and Miami's lead was reduced to 57-56 by half-time.

Orlando were 89-83 ahead after the third quarter and opened the fourth with a 9-2 run to extend the lead to 98-85 and seize control.

Norman Powell led Miami with 21 points, Herro had 20. Bam Adebayo and Andrew Wiggins each contributed 19.

 

  • Latest
  • Most Viewed
Global trade set to top $35 trillion in 2025: UN
UN condemns referral of detained Yemen employees to Houthi court
Sudanese troops lay down arms in S. Sudan after key oil site taken
ExxonMobil slows low-carbon investment push through 2030
Trump admin confirms probe of possible Covid vaccine deaths
Suspense swirls if Nobel peace laureate will attend ceremony
North Korea fires artillery salvo as kicks off key party meeting
West Indies 175-4 after Tickner takes three in second New Zealand Test
Over 180,000 Thais evacuated during Cambodia border clashes: govt
Australia bans under-16s from social media in world-first crackdown
১০