Tampa, Fla. — Slippery court conditions forced the cancellation of Friday night’s preseason finale between the Orlando Magic and Miami Heat, after arena officials said an oil-based cleaning solution was mistakenly applied.

Some fans reacted angrily, and one Heat player was nearly struck by an object thrown from an upper deck of the arena while the cancellation announcement was made about an hour before the game’s scheduled tip-off. Many Magic players, and most of their equipment, were gone at that point.

“It’s unfortunate,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said, “and a highly unusual circumstance.”

The court conditions had been a concern for several hours, after the Magic arrived to practice at the arena — which hosted a Tampa Bay Lightning game Thursday night — and found the court was wet and slippery in several spots. Magic coach Stan Van Gundy said the court was unplayable in the morning, though he expressed confidence that arena officials would solve the problem.

They did not.

“It would have been the longest game of my life to watch a game like this played on a court that perhaps wasn’t safe,” said St. Pete Times Forum CEO Tod Leiweke.

NBA

Heat’s Miller out until January

Tampa, Fla. — Dwyane Wade needed two weeks to declare himself healthy enough to play for the Miami Heat again. Mike Miller will need about two months before he can say the same.

Miller had surgery Friday to repair a broken thumb and ligament damage, injuries sustained in a freak accident during practice two days earlier, and the team said he likely will be sidelined until January. Miller’s operation came on the same day Wade worked out with teammates, the first time that’s happened since he strained his right hamstring Oct. 5.

Contraction could be on table

New York — NBA Commissioner David Stern said Friday he thinks eliminating teams will be on the table during collective bargaining as a way to solve the league’s financial woes.

“It’s a sensitive subject for me because I’ve spent 27 years in this job working very hard not only to maintain all of our teams, but along the way add a few,” Stern said during his preseason conference call.

Golf

Byrd takes lead at 13-under

Las Vegas — Jonathan Byrd shot an 8-under 63 on Friday at rain-softened TPC Summerlin to take the second-round lead at 13 under in the Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospital for Children Open. Byrd had nine birdies and a bogey in perfect scoring conditions.

Hedblom holding 1-stroke edge

Castellon, Spain — Sweden’s Peter Hedblom shot a 7-under 64 on Friday to take a one-stroke in the Castello Masters, while Sergio Garcia missed the weekend cut on his home course.

Pavin ahead at Champions event

The Woodlands, Texas — U.S. Ryder Cup captain Corey Pavin shot a 6-under-par 66 Friday for a one-shot lead after the first round of the Champions Tour’s Administaff Small Business Classic.

Miyazato, Young Lee share lead

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia — Japan’s Mika Miyazato and South Korea’s Jee Young Lee shot 5-under 66s in steamy conditions Friday to share the Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia lead, while Michelle Wie opened with a 68 in the round that was delayed for three hours because of lightning.

Tennis

Federer rolls to Stockholm semis

Stockholm — Roger Federer recovered from a set down to beat Swiss countryman Stanislas Wawrinka, 2-6, 6-3, 6-2, on Friday and reach the Stockholm Open semifinals.

Federer will face fourth-seeded Ivan Ljubicic of Croatia.

College Football

Three provided UNC player benefits

Raleigh, N.C. — North Carolina has told the NCAA that three people acted as “prospective agents” by providing benefits to players in connection with the ongoing investigation into the program, including one who works for NFL agent Drew Rosenhaus.

The school named Rosenhaus employee Michael Katz in documents sent to the NCAA to report violations as part of the process to reinstate players suspended or held out of games due to the probe.

Courts

O.J. Simpson’s appeal denied

Las Vegas — The Nevada Supreme Court refused Friday to overturn O.J. Simpson’s armed robbery and kidnapping convictions, rejecting a claim that prospective jurors were dismissed because they were black.

NHL

Rypien suspended 6 games

Vancouver, British Columbia — Vancouver enforcer Rick Rypien was suspended six games Friday for grabbing a fan during the Canucks’ loss to Minnesota earlier this week.