Pelle Larsson Eyes Payback vs. Magic as Heat Look to Build Momentum
The Miami Heat are back home in South Florida after wrapping up a five-game West Coast swing on a high note, notching back-to-back wins for the first time since New Year’s Day. But in the NBA, there’s no time to soak in the sunshine-especially with a familiar foe waiting on the other side.
Next up: the Orlando Magic. And for Pelle Larsson, this one’s personal.
The Heat have dropped all three matchups against their in-state rivals this season, and Larsson isn’t shying away from the opportunity to flip the script.
“Just the fact that we haven’t beaten them in a while makes us very excited to play them,” Larsson said. “Now, having played them with our different offense, we know how they’ve reacted, and we can adjust to their changes.”
That’s the mindset of a player learning the rhythm of the league-how teams scout, how they adapt, and how to counterpunch. And Larsson has been doing plenty of that in his sophomore season.
The last time these two teams met-December 9-was shaping up to be another down-to-the-wire battle. Then came the ankle injury.
Larsson went down just before halftime and didn’t return. Meanwhile, Desmond Bane caught fire, lighting up the scoreboard with 37 points and six threes to seal a 117-108 win for Orlando.
That one stung. But Larsson is healthy now, and he’s quietly putting together a season that’s turning heads.
Through 39 games (26 starts), the 24-year-old is averaging 9.7 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 3.3 assists while shooting a solid 47.9% from the field. His three-point stroke is still a work in progress at 32.1%, but he’s finding ways to contribute in meaningful moments.
Larsson’s style isn’t flashy-he’s not breaking ankles or calling for isolations. But he’s making winning plays. Whether it’s cutting to the basket, knocking down a corner three off a drive-and-kick, or finishing through contact at the rim, he’s carving out a role in a Heat system that values effort and intelligence.
And he’s not afraid of the spotlight, even when it gets a little heated. Larsson’s been involved in a couple of on-court scuffles this season-most notably with All-Stars Devin Booker and DeMar DeRozan-but insists it’s all part of the competitive fire.
“I want to take advantage [of star players guarding me],” Larsson said. “They don’t usually want to play defense. I try to make them work for it.”
That’s classic Heat Culture-make the other guy uncomfortable, no matter who he is. And Larsson’s embraced it.
Of course, playing that hard comes with a price. Larsson’s taken more than a few hits this season, and the wear and tear is showing-especially on his face. There’s even been talk of him wearing a protective mask.
“My family has told me to wear one,” he said. “I thought about it and I remember Rip Hamilton wearing it, but I don’t think I got the same saw as him to pull it off.”
Mask or not, Larsson’s grit has been evident. And with Miami sitting at 25-22-seventh in the Eastern Conference and clinging to a Play-In Tournament spot-every game matters.
After the Magic, the Heat face the Bulls three times in just four nights. That stretch could go a long way in determining whether they climb into the top six or stay stuck in the Play-In mix.
For Larsson, Wednesday night is about more than revenge. It’s a chance to show how far he-and the Heat-have come since those earlier losses.
The offense is evolving. The roles are solidifying.
And the team is starting to find its edge again.
Now it’s time to prove it.