Miami Heat 99, Orlando Magic 98

Jason Williams was having the game of his life and carrying the Magic through three quarters against the Heat. Whenever Orlando needed a big shot to break a funk or jumpstart a scoring streak, Williams was there to deliver.

Williams had 25 points and eight assists to push the Magic to as much as an 11-point lead in the fourth quarter. But with a one-point lead and Williams at the free throw line, White Chocolate could not deliver. Williams missed both free throws.

Then Orlando's other arch nemesis from last night's game showed up. No it was not Dwyane Wade, his game-winning shot ended up short. But Michael Beasley, last year's semi-disappointing second overall pick, swooped in and dunked the miss to give the Heat a 99-98 win.

As well as Williams played, it is hard not to find fault in a point guard who shot 81.3 percent from the line for his career and 70.8 percent from the line this year. But he was not the worst of tonight's game.

The worst was most certainly the effort given by the Magic throughout the game. As mentioned above, Williams was really the only player who came to play offensively for the entire night -- missed free throws aside.

Vince Carter stepped up when the game was on the line and Ryan Anderson had his moments. But it was a frustrating game as the Magic never went for the kill and just kind of waited for the Heat to take advantage. As has been the problem in many of Orlando's losses, there was simply no energy from any of the players.

Dwight Howard especially looked out of it as he was frustrated with foul trouble throughout the game. The worst was unlike Friday's game against Boston when he continued to play well defensively, Howard looked frustrated and uninterested on defense because of his lack of involvement on the offensive end of the floor.

Howard woke up late in the game and became much more active and energetic. That is the Howard Orlando will need. He finished with 12 points and 16 rebounds while shooting three for five from the floor. Even with free throws, there is no way Howard should be taking just five shot attempts.

More importantly, Howard cannot let the little frustrations that seem to be happening game after game affect his energy and effort the way it has this season.

This game once again highlighted the Magic's rebounding problem. It is hard to imagine that Orlando gives up the most offensive rebounds in the league. This was tested and exploited by Miami especially late.

Udonis Haslem made it a one-point game with less than 30 seconds left on a tip-in. Jermaine O'Neal had several key fourth quarter offensive rebounds. Miami finished with 15 offensive rebounds and each one hurt more than the last. The Magic have to shore up this area to be successful.

The frustrating part was that the Magic generally did a good job on Dwyane Wade. Credit to Mickael Pietrus for making him work. Wade had only eight points entering the fourth quarter and finished with 24 points on 6-of-22 shooting. Against Wade, I consider that a victory.

It is really difficult to see Wade play such a poor game in a Miami win. Credit O'Neal, Haslem and Beasley for lifting the team and doing what they needed to do to win the game.

This was a game Orlando could clearly win. The team played a poor game effort-wise throughout the night but still had a chance to win. That is all the Magic can ask for on such a poor night. They could not just wake up in the final three minutes and pull it out. It is tough to say this is another learning experience, wake-up call loss... but it is. Time to move on.