Ahead of Wednesday night's matchup against the Miami Heat, Orlando Magic guard Jalen Suggs became candid about the state of his team.

 "We got to get off this skid," Suggs said after Wednesday's shoot around. "That is apart of our growth, it's a part of our challenge."

 The Magic have lost four-straight games by 14 or more points. Currently, they possess a 23-22 record and the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference.

 "When it gets like this, how professional can we be in terms of coming out, forgetting the past couple nights — applying the things and the teaching moments — but forgetting the past couple nights and coming out and handling today," he added.

"For two and a half hours, can we come out and handle business so we can go home with a win and change the momentum; change the mood."

 The Magic are 3-0 against the Heat this season, and, outside of the Dec. 9 NBA Cup Quarterfinal game, Wednesday's contest is shaping up to be the most consequential matchup of their meetings this season.

 Miami is 25-22 and just ahead of the Magic in the standings. A win tonight could not only provide momentum for Orlando, but benefit its place in the playoff picture against a divisional foe.

 "We've played really well against them this year," Suggs said. "So, we know they are going to come out aggressive; come out hard. So, I think for us, we're really buying into our process.

Making sure that we're locked in on the defensive end; offensively, we're getting good looks, and when it gets stagnant, we're caching that early."

 The Magic's two most recent losses — both to the Cleveland Cavaliers — largely happened because of an egregious inability to hit perimeter shots. In the losses to the Cavs, the Magic shot 11-40 from 3-point range and 11-39, respectively.

 But a successful outcome simply will not arrive by shooting better. For Suggs, there is an understanding that the team needs to remain committed to playing well for the duration of the game.

"Just to be bought in through the 48 [minutes]," he said. "Not through the first quarter, or first half, or for the first three [quarters]; but through the full 48 minutes of the game.

Being locked in to our process, and that will carry us to where we want to go."

 Wednesday's game will mark the third for Suggs since he returned from a Grade 1 right MCL contusion that caused him to miss eight games. This season, he is averaging 14.4 points, 4.8 assists and 1.8 steals.

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