Miami, FL (My Sportsbook) - The Miami Heat open their season on Wednesday when they welcome the Orlando Magic to AmericanAirlines Arena for a Sunshine State battle.

The Heat opened last season by dropping 23 of their first 29 games. The Heat had a mini surge in the middle of the season and actually looked like they would make a late playoff push, before a 7-13 finish left them with a 36-46 mark for the year.

Pat Riley suffered the first losing season of his coaching career and the Heat missed out on the playoffs for the first time in seven years.

Things got worse in the offseason, as doctors announced that center Alonzo Mourning's kidney condition had worsened, likely sidelining him for the entire 2002-03 season.

But Miami did receive some good fortune in the offseason, as Caron Butler, originally considered a top-five pick, dropped all the way to the 10th overall selection in the 2002 NBA Draft, where the Heat snapped him up.

The Magic began their season on Tuesday with a 95-88 home victory over the Philadelphia 76ers. Tracy McGrady led the way for Orlando by pouring in 31 points.

Grant Hill chipped in 18 points, six rebounds and seven assists for Orlando. Hill is trying to overcome severe ankle injuries which limited him to just 18 games over the previous two seasons.

Pat Burke finished with 12 points in his NBA debut for Orlando.

The Magic's Horace Grant left the game late in the first half with a sore knee and is questionable for Wednesday's contest.

The Heat, who went 3-1 against Orlando last season, have won three straight and four of the last five meetings with the Magic. Orlando lost both of its games at Miami last season and has dropped six of the last seven matchups at AmericanAirlines Arena.

The Heat finished with a 2-5 record in exhibition play.