The Miami Heat defeated the Orlando Magic, 111-103, at American Airlines Arena on Thursday night.

The Magic (13-24), perhaps buoyed by the return of star forward Aaron Gordon after an extended absence due to an ankle injury, came out of the gates hot, building a two-point lead through the first 12 minutes. However, the Heat (19-18) took a measure of control in the second, erasing their narrow deficit and building a five-point halftime advantage. The see-saw nature of the contest persisted in a third quarter where Orlando impressively outscored Miami, 24-19, but a subsequent 8-0 run by the hosts between the 5:27 and 2:34 marks of the final period created the necessary separation for the relatively comfortable win.

Nikola Vucevic led the Magic with a 24-point, 17-rebound double-double that also included three assists. Dwayne Bacon managed 21 points, three rebounds and two assists. Michael Carter-Williams delivered 17 points, seven assists, four rebounds and one steal. Gordon and Chasson Randle generated matching nine-point, two-rebound tallies.

Jimmy Butler paced the Heat with a 27-point, 11-assist double-double that also included eight rebounds, three steals and one block. Kelly Olynyk followed with 20 points, seven boards, two assists, two steals and one block. Tyler Herro supplied 17 points, five assists, four rebounds and one steal. Kendrick Nunn furnished 13 points, while Goran Dragic compiled 11 points, five assists and three rebounds.

The Magic remain on the road and visit the San Antonio Spurs on Friday night, while the Heat travel to Chicago and face the Bulls on Friday night as well.