Game ID: 22500972
Orlando Magic @ Miami Heat
Saturday, March 14, 2026 at 8:00 PM ET
Kaseya Center, Miami, FL
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Final
MIA 27 28 28 34 117ORL 41 30 27 23 121
MIA vs ORL ScoutingMIA vs ORL Scouting
Welcome to the scouting desk. The coffee is cold, the film is play-by-play, and somebody has to explain what happened.
Every game has a hinge — a stretch where it was decided, usually while everyone was watching something else. Start where the evidence lives: the Lineups' face-offs say which five actually won their minutes; the Possessions ledger says who ran ahead of the night's own pace; the Shot Chart says where the points really came from, which is rarely where the highlights were. When all three agree, that is the story. When they don't — that is why this desk has a chair.
MIA availability going into 3/06 · back-to-backOUT Powell missed 3 since 2/28, out tonight
OUT Jović missed 6 since 2/21, out tonight
MIA availability going into 3/08 · 1 day's restOUT Powell missed 4 since 2/28, out tonight
OUT Jović missed 7 since 2/21, out tonight
OUT Fontecchio missed 2 since 3/05, out tonight
MIA availability going into 3/10 · 1 day's restOUT Wiggins missed 2 since 3/06, out tonight
OUT Powell missed 5 since 2/28, out tonight
OUT Jović missed 8 since 2/21, out tonight
OUT Fontecchio missed 3 since 3/05, returns tonight: 22 min (133% of 17)
NEW Ware 22 to 29 min over the last 5
MIA availability going into 3/12 · 1 day's restOUT Wiggins missed 3 since 3/06, out tonight
OUT Powell missed 6 since 2/28, out tonight
OUT Jović missed 9 since 2/21, out tonight
BACK Fontecchio back 3/10 after 3, 22 min since (133% of 17)
NEW Ware 22 to 29 min over the last 4
MIA availability going into 3/14 · 1 day's restOUT Herro missed 2 since 3/10, returns tonight: 31 min (99% of 31)
OUT Wiggins missed 4 since 3/06, out tonight
OUT Powell missed 7 since 2/28, returns tonight: 31 min (105% of 30)
OUT Jović missed 10 since 2/21, out tonight
BACK Fontecchio back 3/10 after 3, 19 min since (111% of 17)
NEW Ware 22 to 29 min over the last 4
NEW Jakučionis 18 to 24 min over the last 5
MIA availability going into 3/17 · 2 days' restOUT Wiggins missed 5 since 3/06, out tonight
OUT Jović missed 11 since 2/21, out tonight
BACK Herro back 3/14 after 2, 31 min since (99% of 31)
BACK Powell back 3/14 after 7, 31 min since (105% of 30)
BACK Fontecchio back 3/10 after 3, 19 min since (111% of 17)
NEW Adebayo 32 to 38 min over the last 5
NEW Larsson 26 to 32 min over the last 5
NEW Ware 22 to 28 min over the last 4
NEW Jakučionis 18 to 24 min over the last 5
MIA availability going into 3/19 · 1 day's restOUT Wiggins missed 6 since 3/06, out tonight
OUT Jović missed 12 since 2/21, out tonight
BACK Herro back 3/14 after 2, 31 min since (99% of 31)
BACK Powell back 3/14 after 7, 31 min since (104% of 30)
BACK Fontecchio back 3/10 after 3, 20 min since (121% of 17)
NEW Larsson 26 to 32 min over the last 5
NEW Ware 22 to 27 min over the last 4
NEW Jakučionis 18 to 24 min over the last 5
MIA availability going into 3/21 · 1 day's restOUT Wiggins missed 7 since 3/06, out tonight
OUT Jović missed 13 since 2/21, returns tonight: 4 min (22% of 17)
BACK Herro back 3/14 after 2, 32 min since (101% of 31)
BACK Powell back 3/14 after 7, 31 min since (106% of 30)
BACK Fontecchio back 3/10 after 3, 20 min since (119% of 17)
NEW Adebayo 32 to 38 min over the last 4
NEW Larsson 26 to 32 min over the last 5
MIA availability going into 3/23 · 1 day's restOUT Wiggins missed 8 since 3/06, returns tonight: 20 min (65% of 30)
OUT Jaquez Jr. missed 2 since 3/19, returns tonight: 20 min (69% of 28)
BACK Herro back 3/14 after 2, 33 min since (106% of 31)
BACK Powell back 3/14 after 7, 31 min since (106% of 30)
BACK Jović back 3/21 after 13, 4 min since (22% of 17)
NEW Adebayo 32 to 39 min over the last 4
NEW Larsson 26 to 33 min over the last 5
NEW Fontecchio 17 to 24 min over the last 4
ORL availability going into 3/07 · 1 day's restOUT Fra. Wagner missed 8 since 2/19, out tonight
BACK Black back 3/05 after 2, 24 min since (81% of 29)
BACK Suggs back 2/26 after 3, 24 min since (86% of 28)
BACK Bitadze back 3/03 after 4, 17 min since (111% of 15)
BACK Cain back 3/03 after 5, 4 min since (32% of 13)
BACK Penda back 3/03 after 4, 19 min since (153% of 13)
NEW da Silva 24 to 31 min over the last 5
ORL availability going into 3/08 · back-to-backOUT Fra. Wagner missed 9 since 2/19, out tonight
OUT Richardson missed 2 since 3/05, out tonight
OUT Isaac missed 2 since 3/05, out tonight
BACK Black back 3/05 after 2, 13 min since (44% of 29)
BACK Suggs back 2/26 after 3, 25 min since (90% of 28)
BACK Bitadze back 3/03 after 4, 12 min since (82% of 15)
BACK Cain back 3/03 after 5, 4 min since (30% of 13)
BACK Penda back 3/03 after 4, 18 min since (139% of 13)
NEW da Silva 24 to 31 min over the last 5
ORL availability going into 3/11 · 2 days' restOUT Fra. Wagner missed 10 since 2/19, out tonight
OUT Richardson missed 3 since 3/05, out tonight
OUT Isaac missed 3 since 3/05, out tonight
BACK Black back 3/05 after 2, 13 min since (44% of 29)
BACK Bitadze back 3/03 after 4, 11 min since (75% of 15)
BACK Cain back 3/03 after 5, 5 min since (41% of 13)
BACK Penda back 3/03 after 4, 19 min since (151% of 13)
NEW da Silva 24 to 29 min over the last 5
NEW Carter 19 to 24 min over the last 5
NEW Howard 12 to 19 min over the last 4
ORL availability going into 3/12 · back-to-backOUT Fra. Wagner missed 11 since 2/19, out tonight
OUT Black missed 2 since 3/08, out tonight
OUT Richardson missed 4 since 3/05, out tonight
OUT Isaac missed 4 since 3/05, returns tonight: 1 min (14% of 10)
BACK Bitadze back 3/03 after 4, 11 min since (75% of 15)
BACK Cain back 3/03 after 5, 5 min since (41% of 13)
BACK Penda back 3/03 after 4, 18 min since (138% of 13)
NEW Howard 12 to 22 min over the last 4
ORL availability going into 3/14 · 1 day's restOUT Fra. Wagner missed 12 since 2/19, out tonight
OUT Black missed 3 since 3/08, out tonight
OUT Cain missed 2 since 3/11, returns tonight: 18 min (140% of 13)
OUT Richardson missed 5 since 3/05, out tonight
BACK Isaac back 3/12 after 4, 1 min since (14% of 10)
NEW da Silva 24 to 32 min over the last 5
NEW Howard 12 to 23 min over the last 4
ORL availability going into 3/16 · 1 day's restOUT Fra. Wagner missed 13 since 2/19, out tonight
OUT Black missed 4 since 3/08, out tonight
OUT Richardson missed 6 since 3/05, returns tonight: 6 min (52% of 11)
BACK Cain back 3/14 after 2, 18 min since (140% of 13)
BACK Isaac back 3/12 after 4, 1 min since (14% of 10)
NEW da Silva 24 to 33 min over the last 5
NEW Howard 12 to 23 min over the last 4
ORL availability going into 3/17 · back-to-backOUT Fra. Wagner missed 14 since 2/19, out tonight
OUT Black missed 5 since 3/08, out tonight
BACK Cain back 3/14 after 2, 16 min since (123% of 13)
BACK Richardson back 3/16 after 6, 6 min since (52% of 11)
BACK Isaac back 3/12 after 4, 1 min since (14% of 10)
NEW da Silva 24 to 32 min over the last 5
NEW Howard 12 to 22 min over the last 4
ORL availability going into 3/19 · 1 day's restOUT Fra. Wagner missed 15 since 2/19, out tonight
OUT Black missed 6 since 3/08, out tonight
BACK Cain back 3/14 after 2, 14 min since (108% of 13)
BACK Richardson back 3/16 after 6, 6 min since (52% of 11)
BACK Isaac back 3/12 after 4, 1 min since (14% of 10)
NEW da Silva 24 to 33 min over the last 5
NEW Howard 12 to 20 min over the last 4
ORL availability going into 3/21 · 1 day's restOUT Fra. Wagner missed 16 since 2/19, out tonight
OUT Black missed 7 since 3/08, out tonight
BACK Cain back 3/14 after 2, 15 min since (116% of 13)
BACK Richardson back 3/16 after 6, 6 min since (61% of 11)
BACK Isaac back 3/12 after 4, 1 min since (14% of 10)
NEW da Silva 24 to 31 min over the last 5
NEW Howard 12 to 18 min over the last 4
I Know — the desk, before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Miami comes in 5-0 over its last five, scoring 127 a night and allowing 115, shooting 47 percent and 36 from three, 32 free throws a game; Adebayo at 35 and Herro at 28 a game. That is 5 straight wins. It has won the glass by 6 a night. Without Herro (2 straight), Wiggins (4 straight), Powell (7 straight). One day's rest. Orlando comes in 5-0 over its last five, scoring 126 a night and allowing 110, shooting 49 percent and 36 from three, 31 free throws a game; Bane at 24 and Banchero at 23 a game. That is 5 straight wins. It has won the glass by 8 a night. Without Fra. Wagner (12 straight), Black (3 straight). One day's rest.
So: Miami wins, in a game with no one edge to lean on. Call it Miami 119, Orlando 117, Orlando keeping it close.
3/06 @ CHA 128-120 — MIA notes
MIA won 128-120. MIA shot 46% (45 of 97) to CHA's 43%, 18 of 38 from three. MIA turned it over 6 times to CHA's 12. Herro led with 33 (11 of 20, 8 of 10 from three); Adebayo added 24, Jaquez Jr. 21. The hinge was Q4, 30-19: MIA came in trailing by 3 and left it ahead by 8. MIA trailed 58-61 at the half and won the second half 70-59. Herro was the night's best plus/minus at +19.
3/08 vs DET 121-110 — MIA notes
MIA won 121-110. MIA shot 46% (43 of 93) to DET's 44%, 12 of 33 from three. The glass went 49-39 for them. Herro led with 25 (8 of 16, 4 of 8 from three, 5 of 6 at the line); Adebayo added 24, Jaquez Jr. 19. The hinge was Q1, 34-16: from level to 18 ahead, and the lead reached 29. Herro was the night's best plus/minus at +18.
3/10 vs WAS 150-129 — MIA notes
MIA won 150-129. MIA shot 50% (45 of 90) to WAS's 52%, 13 of 43 from three, and went to the line 59 times to WAS's 29 — 47 points from the stripe to their 22. MIA turned it over 16 times to WAS's 23. The glass went 48-35 for them. Adebayo led with 83 (20 of 43, 7 of 22 from three, 36 of 43 at the line); Fontecchio added 18, Mitchell 12. The hinge was Q1, 40-29: from level to 11 ahead, and the lead reached 28. Adebayo was the night's best plus/minus at +20.
3/12 vs MIL 112-105 — MIA notes
MIA won 112-105. MIA shot 41% (38 of 92) to MIL's 49%, 14 of 41 from three, and went to the line 27 times to MIL's 19 — 22 points from the stripe to their 14. The glass went 53-36 for them. Larsson led with 28 (9 of 14, 2 of 3 from three, 8 of 8 at the line); Adebayo added 21, Jakučionis 18. The hinge was Q1, 31-21: from level to 10 ahead, and the lead reached 15. Jakučionis was the night's best plus/minus at +18.
3/14 vs ORL 117-121 — MIA notes
MIA lost 117-121. MIA shot 47% (41 of 88) to ORL's 49%, 12 of 38 from three. MIA turned it over 10 times to ORL's 19. The glass went 32-49 against them. Jaquez Jr. led with 22 (9 of 16, 1 of 3 from three); Adebayo added 20, Powell 20. Q4 was theirs, 34-23, the deficit cut from 15 to 4, but the other 3 periods went 98-83 against them. Ware's -17 in 27 minutes was the worst on the floor.
3/17 @ CHA — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Charlotte comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 108 a night and allowing 113, shooting 41 percent and 37 from three, 19 free throws a game; Ball at 21 and Knueppel at 20 a game. Without Salaün (6 straight). 2 days' rest. Miami comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 126 a night and allowing 117, shooting 46 percent and 36 from three, 33 free throws a game; Adebayo at 34 and Herro at 23 a game. Without Wiggins (5 straight), Jović (11 straight). 2 days' rest.
So: Charlotte wins, and the game turns on the line, where Miami takes 33 free throws a game to Charlotte's 19. Call it Charlotte 117, Miami 116, Miami keeping it close.
3/19 vs LAL — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Miami comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 121 a night and allowing 120, shooting 45 percent and 30 from three, 35 free throws a game; Adebayo at 37 and Herro at 18 a game. Without Wiggins (6 straight), Jović (12 straight). One day's rest. The Lakers come in 5-0 over their last five, scoring 123 a night and allowing 114, shooting 52 percent and 36 from three, 24 free throws a game; Dončić at 38 and Reaves at 24 a game. That is 5 straight wins. Without Vanderbilt (3 straight). Second night of a back-to-back.
So: Miami wins, and the game turns on the line, where Miami takes 35 free throws a game to the Lakers' 24 and the arc, the Lakers at 36 percent from three to Miami's 30. Call it Miami 120, the Lakers 117, the Lakers keeping it close.
3/21 @ HOU — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Houston comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 105 a night and allowing 111, shooting 47 percent and 30 from three, 18 free throws a game; Durant at 21 and Thompson at 20 a game. It has won the glass by 7 a night. Second night of a back-to-back. Miami comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 122 a night and allowing 125, shooting 46 percent and 30 from three, 34 free throws a game; Adebayo at 38 and Powell at 19 a game. That is 3 straight losses. Without Wiggins (7 straight), Jović (13 straight). One day's rest.
So: Houston wins, and the game turns on the line, where Miami takes 34 free throws a game to Houston's 18 and the defense, Houston allowing 111 a night to Miami's 125. Call it Houston 116, Miami 115, Miami keeping it close.
3/23 vs SAS — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Miami comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 117 a night and allowing 124, shooting 46 percent and 31 from three, 25 free throws a game; Adebayo at 25 and Herro at 19 a game. That is 4 straight losses. Without Wiggins (8 straight), Jaquez Jr. (2 straight). One day's rest. San Antonio comes in 5-0 over its last five, scoring 120 a night and allowing 108, shooting 48 percent and 37 from three, 21 free throws a game; Wembanyama at 25 and Fox at 17 a game. That is 5 straight wins. It has won the glass by 11 a night. Without Castle (2 straight). One day's rest.
So: San Antonio wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where San Antonio has been plus-11 a night and Miami minus-3 and the defense, San Antonio allowing 108 a night to Miami's 124. Call it San Antonio 119, Miami 115, Miami keeping it close.
3/07 @ MIN 119-92 — ORL notes
ORL won 119-92. ORL shot 46% (42 of 91) to MIN's 36%, 9 of 34 from three. The glass went 58-37 for them. Bane led with 30 (10 of 17, 0 of 5 from three, 10 of 10 at the line); Banchero added 25, Suggs 14. The hinge was Q4, 29-14: a lead of 12 became 27. da Silva was the night's best plus/minus at +24.
3/08 @ MIL 130-91 — ORL notes
ORL won 130-91. ORL shot 56% (45 of 80) to MIL's 43%, 14 of 33 from three, and went to the line 35 times to MIL's 13 — 26 points from the stripe to their 6. The glass went 49-36 for them. Banchero led with 33 (12 of 16, 3 of 6 from three, 6 of 9 at the line); Suggs added 20, Bane 18. The hinge was Q3, 33-15: a lead of 12 became 30, and the lead reached 39. Bane was the night's best plus/minus at +28.
3/11 vs CLE 128-122 — ORL notes
ORL won 128-122. ORL shot 52% (44 of 85) to CLE's 49%, 12 of 35 from three, and went to the line 37 times to CLE's 26 — 28 points from the stripe to their 17. Bane led with 35 (12 of 19, 2 of 3 from three, 9 of 10 at the line); Banchero added 25, da Silva 23. The hinge was Q3, 34-27: from level to 7 ahead. Banchero was the night's best plus/minus at +11.
3/12 vs WAS 136-131 — ORL notes
ORL won 136-131 in 1 overtime. ORL shot 47% (47 of 100) to WAS's 46%, 15 of 34 from three, and went to the line 34 times to WAS's 24 — 27 points from the stripe to their 21. Suggs led with 28 (10 of 17, 3 of 8 from three, 5 of 6 at the line); da Silva added 26, Bane 22. The hinge was Q1, 36-26: from level to 10 ahead, and the lead reached 19. Bane was the night's best plus/minus at +14.
3/14 @ MIA 121-117 — ORL notes
ORL won 121-117. ORL shot 49% (44 of 89) to MIA's 47%, 10 of 32 from three. ORL turned it over 19 times to MIA's 10, and MIA turned those into 13 steals. The glass went 49-32 for them. Banchero led with 27 (8 of 14, 1 of 3 from three, 10 of 10 at the line); Bane added 21, Carter Jr. 15. The hinge was Q1, 41-27: from level to 14 ahead, and the lead reached 22.
3/16 @ ATL — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Atlanta comes in 5-0 over its last five, scoring 122 a night and allowing 107, shooting 50 percent and 38 from three, 22 free throws a game; Johnson at 25 and Alexander-Walker at 23 a game. That is 5 straight wins. It has won the glass by 5 a night. One day's rest. Orlando comes in 5-0 over its last five, scoring 127 a night and allowing 111, shooting 50 percent and 36 from three, 32 free throws a game; Banchero at 26 and Bane at 25 a game. That is 5 straight wins. It has won the glass by 11 a night. Without Fra. Wagner (13 straight), Black (4 straight). One day's rest.
So: Atlanta wins, and the game turns on the line, where Orlando takes 32 free throws a game to Atlanta's 22 and the glass, where Orlando has been plus-11 a night and Atlanta plus-5. Call it Atlanta 117, Orlando 116, Orlando keeping it close.
3/17 vs OKC — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Orlando comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 125 a night and allowing 117, shooting 49 percent and 37 from three, 31 free throws a game; Banchero at 24 and Bane at 23 a game. Without Fra. Wagner (14 straight), Black (5 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. OKC comes in 5-0 over its last five, scoring 111 a night and allowing 106, shooting 45 percent and 35 from three, 21 free throws a game; Gilgeous-Alexander at 29 and Holmgren at 21 a game. That is 5 straight wins. It has lost the glass by 8 a night. Without Jal. Williams (13 straight), Sandfort (6 straight). One day's rest.
So: OKC wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where Orlando has been plus-4 a night and OKC minus-8 and the line, where Orlando takes 31 free throws a game to OKC's 21. Call it OKC 115, Orlando 114, Orlando keeping it close.
3/19 @ CHA — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Charlotte comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 111 a night and allowing 108, shooting 44 percent and 38 from three, 19 free throws a game; Ball at 23 and Knueppel at 19 a game. Without Salaün (7 straight). One day's rest. Orlando comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 121 a night and allowing 121, shooting 46 percent and 35 from three, 28 free throws a game; Banchero at 24 and Bane at 22 a game. Without Fra. Wagner (15 straight), Black (6 straight). One day's rest.
So: Charlotte wins, and the game turns on the defense, Charlotte allowing 108 a night to Orlando's 121 and the line, where Orlando takes 28 free throws a game to Charlotte's 19. Call it Charlotte 117, Orlando 113, Orlando keeping it close.
3/21 vs LAL — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Orlando comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 118 a night and allowing 123, shooting 44 percent and 35 from three, 25 free throws a game; Banchero at 23 and Bane at 20 a game. That is 3 straight losses. Without Fra. Wagner (16 straight), Black (7 straight). One day's rest. The Lakers come in 5-0 over their last five, scoring 125 a night and allowing 118, shooting 53 percent and 39 from three, 28 free throws a game; Dončić at 43 and Reaves at 22 a game. That is 5 straight wins. Without Vanderbilt (4 straight). One day's rest.
So: Orlando wins, in a game with no one edge to lean on. Call it Orlando 119, the Lakers 118, the Lakers keeping it close.
Who is who
the initials in the Players column
ORLDB D. Bane
JC J. Cain
JC J. Carter
JS J. Suggs
MW M. Wagner
NP N. Penda
PB P. Banchero
TD T. da Silva
WC W. Carter Jr.
MIABA B. Adebayo
DM D. Mitchell
JJ J. Jaquez Jr.
JA Jakucionis
KJ K. Jakučionis
KW K. Ware
MG M. Gardner
NP N. Powell
PL P. Larsson
TH T. Herro
ORL/MIA the team itself, not a player
-- the feed named nobody
What
What happened
the codes in the Events column
M2 / M3 made 2 / made 3
X2 / X3 missed 2 / missed 3
FT / X1 free throw made / missed
AST assist
OR / DR offensive / defensive rebound
STL steal
BLK block
TO turnover
FL foul
OF offensive foul — ends the possession
VIOL violation
JUMP jump ball
TM timeout
IR instant replay
HE heave at the buzzer, filed to the team
END the clock ran out, ball in hand
Where
Where a shot came from
the middle field of M3.LW.25
RM at the rim inside 4 ft
RC right corner
RW right wing
SO straight on
LW left wing
LC left corner
M3.LW.25 made 3, left wing, 25 ft
X2.RM.01 missed 2, at the rim, 1 ft
When
When it happened
the Offset column
one number per event, in the Events order:
whole seconds from the start of the
possession to that event
Events FL X3.RC.23 OR M2.RM.01
Offset 0 18 22 24
the foul opens the possession at 0s;
the putback ends it at 24s, which is
the possession's own Dur
Banchero scores 27, Magic top Heat 121-117 and move to 5-0 vs. Miami this season
MIAMI -- — Paolo Banchero scored 27 points, Desmond Bane added 21 and the Orlando Magic beat the Miami Heat 121-117 on Saturday night, becoming the second team in the last 30 years to beat the same opponent five times in one season.
Wendell Carter Jr . scored 15 for the Magic, who won their seventh straight and snapped Miami's season-best, seven-game winning streak.
Orlando led by as many as 22, before Miami twice got within two in the final 18.5 seconds.
Orlando (38-28) moved a game clear of Miami (38-30) in the race for fifth in the Eastern Conference, plus is 10 games over .500 for the first time since the end of the 2023-24 season.
Jaime Jaquez Jr . scored 22, while Bam Adebayo and Norman Powell each had 20 for Miami, which hadn't gone 0-5 against one team since doing so against New York — then coached by now-Heat President Pat Riley — in 1992-93.
The only other instance in the last three decades: New Orleans went 5-0 against Sacramento in 2023-24.
The Heat got Tyler Herro and Powell back from injuries, with Herro starting and Powell coming off the bench for the first time since 2023-24 with the Los Angeles Clippers. Herro scored 10.
The five-game season series was impossible for the better part of the last three decades, given that the NBA scheduling formula almost always called for teams to play four games against opponents from their division, three or four games against the other in-conference opponents and two games against each opponent from the opposite conference.
The advent of the NBA Cup — and the quirk of two games being added to each team's schedule after pool play — makes the five-game series possible. It has now happened 13 times over the last three seasons.