The Magic backed up the offseason talk with an opening night 19-point victory, when they led by as many as 32 points behind Banchero’s game-high 33. Although the Magic still have 81 games left in their quest to return to the playoffs, the way they won sends a message to the East.

Paolo Banchero recorded 33 points, making it the first time since Tracy McGrady in 2002 that a Magic player scored 30-plus on opening night, Gary Harris made six of Orlando’s 18 3-pointers, and the Magic’s defense following an elongated halftime was smothering in Wednesday’s 116-97 victory over the Miami Heat at the Kaseya Center.

How about that bumpy ride in, Miami Heat fans? Wednesday’s opening-night 116-97 loss to the Orlando Magic started with good vibes before Paolo Banchero and company snapped their nine-game road losing streak to the Heat,