Orlando Magic’s Paolo Banchero (5) looks for a shot against Memphis Grizzlies’ Santi Aldama (7) during the first half of an NBA preseason basketball game Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2022, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Miami Heat: The Giannis Era Begins in South Florida
The Miami Heat reshaped the franchise with the biggest blockbuster of the offseason, launching a new era built around a dominant super‑frontcourt. The organization acquired two‑time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo from Milwaukee in a massive trade package that sent out Tyler Herro, Jaime Jaquez Jr., and Kel’el Ware. To surround Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo with reliable perimeter shooting, Miami added veteran sharpshooters Klay Thompson and Tim Hardaway Jr. while strengthening its frontcourt rotation with Bobby Portis.
Head coach Erik Spoelstra enters the season with a defense‑first roster capable of overwhelming opponents in the paint. With Herro gone, playmaking responsibilities shift toward Davion Mitchell and Antetokounmpo, creating a new offensive identity centered on downhill pressure and spacing. If the core remains healthy, Miami immediately returns to top‑tier Eastern Conference contention.
Local broadcast access expands as well. Heat games now air free over‑the‑air on WPLG Local 10, the ABC affiliate serving South Florida. Radio coverage continues on the Miami Heat Radio Network, anchored by WQAM 560 AM for English broadcasts and WAQI 710 AM for Spanish coverage, reaching listeners statewide through its affiliate lineup.
Orlando Magic: A New Offensive System and Over‑the‑Air Expansion
After a first‑round postseason exit, the Orlando Magic focused on coaching innovation while keeping their young core intact. The franchise hired former Spurs defensive coordinator Sean Sweeney as head coach, tasking him with modernizing the offense and elevating the team’s pace. Former All‑Star center Nikola Vucevic returned on a one‑year deal to provide interior depth and veteran stability. The core of Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner, Desmond Bane, and Jalen Suggs remains fully intact, giving Orlando continuity as it enters a new system.
Preseason action revealed immediate schematic changes under Sweeney, including faster tempo, increased three‑point volume, and more dynamic spacing. As Banchero and Wagner continue their rise, Orlando’s ceiling depends on balancing offensive growth with the elite defensive identity that carried them last season.
Broadcast access across Central Florida and Tampa Bay expands significantly. In Orlando, games air free over‑the‑air on WRDQ‑TV 27, rebranded as MagicTV 27. In Tampa Bay, Magic broadcasts reach fans through WMOR‑TV (Channel 32), extending the team’s regional footprint. Radio coverage remains anchored by 96.9 The Game (WYGM 740 AM / 96.9 FM) in Orlando. For Tampa Bay listeners, Magic games air terrestrially on 97.9 WXTB‑HD2 and the 98.7 FM translator, with statewide digital streaming available on the iHeartRadio App.
