Simulated All-Time Rivalry Game
By Josh Cohen
Aug. 9, 2010
ORLANDO -- I decided to conduct a mathematical analysis to determine who would win a game between the all-time best Orlando Magic against the all-time best Miami Heat.
Although we can never truly know what the results would be if these two hypothetical squads clashed on the court, I simulated the outcome by using a number of statistical and scientific variables. Some of the math included, for example, career averages with the Magic and/or Heat and performance expectancy against certain opponents. Some of the data was based on personal judgment.
I first selected the top eight players of all time for the Magic and Heat. I used only players who played at least one full season with Orlando and/or Miami. As a result, neither LeBron James nor Chris Bosh was selected to Miami’s team. Shaquille O’Neal played for both teams and deserved to be placed on each of the rosters.
Both Orlando and Miami have each featured other notable players that had All-Star careers. But, I chose players soley on how they performed with the Magic and/or Heat. For instance, Lamar Odom, who has helped the Lakers capture two NBA championships the last two seasons, didn't make the cut since he wasn't one of the best eight while in a Heat uniform.
Since both the Magic and Heat have/had multiple all-time great centers, I moved Dwight Howard and Alonzo Mourning to the power forward positions in each starting lineup.
I, subsequently, simulated a box score which includes point, rebound, assist and blocked shot totals for each player. I also added shooting lines from the field, 3-point range and free throw line.
Keep in mind, this was just for fun. I was not trying to prove any legitimate points. It would be extraordinary if we actually witnessed a contest between these two outstanding teams, however.
Here are the rosters and the results:
| | | | | | | | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MAGIC |  Penny Hardaway |  Tracy McGrady |  Shaquille O'Neal |  Dwight Howard |  Hedo Turkoglu |  Rashard Lewis |  Nick Anderson |  Jameer Nelson |
| HEAT |  Tim Hardaway |  Dwyane Wade | Shaquille O'Neal |  Alonzo Mourning |  Glen Rice |  Eddie Jones |  Rony Seikaly |  P.J. Brown |
| | | | | | | | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PG | Penny Hardaway | 5-9 | 2-4 | 5-5 | 4 | 9 | 0 | 17 |
| SG | Tracy McGrady | 7-16 | 1-4 | 8-9 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 23 |
| C | Shaquille O'Neal | 7-10 | 0-0 | 4-11 | 11 | 1 | 3 | 18 |
| PF | Dwight Howard | 7-8 | 0-0 | 5-10 | 12 | 2 | 4 | 19 |
| SF | Hedo Turkoglu | 3-6 | 2-4 | 6-7 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 14 |
| R | Rashard Lewis | 4-7 | 3-4 | 3-4 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 14 |
| R | Nick Anderson | 3-6 | 1-3 | 0-0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| R | Jameer Nelson | 3-6 | 2-4 | 0-0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 8 |
| Totals | 42-68 | 11-23 | 31-46 | 44 | 26 | 7 | 120 |
| | | | | | | | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PG | Tim Hardaway | 5-9 | 2-5 | 4-4 | 2 | 7 | 0 | 16 |
| SG | Dwyane Wade | 9-18 | 2-5 | 8-11 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 28 |
| C | Shaquille O'Neal | 6-9 | 0-0 | 3-8 | 9 | 1 | 2 | 15 |
| PF | Alonzo Mourning | 6-10 | 0-0 | 6-8 | 10 | 2 | 3 | 18 |
| SF | Glen Rice | 4-9 | 3-5 | 4-5 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 15 |
| R | Eddie Jones | 3-7 | 1-2 | 2-3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 9 |
| R | Rony Seikaly | 2-4 | 0-0 | 2-3 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 6 |
| R | P.J. Brown | 0-1 | 0-0 | 1-2 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Totals | 35-67 | 8-17 | 30-44 | 40 | 23 | 7 | 108 |
Tracy McGrady racked up 23 points and Dwight Howard and Shaquille O’Neal combined for 37 points and 23 rebounds as the all-time great Orlando Magic defeated the all-time great Miami Heat, 120-108.
Penny Hardaway accumulated 17 points and nine assists, while Hedo Turkoglu and Rashard Lewis each scored 14 points.
Dwyane Wade paced Miami with a game-high 28 points on 9-of-18 shooting from the field. Alonzo Mourning poured in 18 points and 10 rebounds, while Tim Hardaway registered 16 points and the Heat’s Shaq scored 15 and grabbed nine rebounds.
Led by Lewis, Nick Anderson and Jameer Nelson, Orlando’s bench outscored Miami’s 29-16.
