Orlando Magic vs. Miami Heat Betting Analysis and Prediction
While cold temperatures, snow, and ice move through most of the United States this weekend, we’ve got a balmy matchup on Friday from 75° South Beach when the Orlando Magic (19-29) visit the Miami Heat (27-22).
The weather outside may be delightful, but the Magic vs Heat betting looks a bit one-sided as Miami currently sits in sixth place in the Eastern Conference and has won seven of their last ten, while the Magic – along with Charlotte Hornets and Detroit Pistons – seem like they’ll be just jockeying to stay out of the basement in the conference this season.
Orlando has won three of their last four, though, so maybe they have value in Friday night’s NBA picks as +7.5 underdogs.
Last Game Records
The Magic are 5-5 over their last 10, and they are coming into Friday night’s NBA schedule off a surprising win against the Boston Celtics (113-98) and then beating the Indiana Pacers 126-120 on Wednesday. This is the first time Orlando has won consecutive games since beating Houston Rockets and San Antonio Spurs just before Christmas.
It’s hard to tell if this is a resurgence at this time in the Orlando Magic basketball schedule, but coach Jamahl Mosley has to at least be optimistic that all five starters scored at least 13 points last time out against Indiana. Now the big question is if they can keep that up against a Miami squad that has held three of the last four opponents under 100 points.
The Heat defense has been great this past week, and they do rank third in the league in efficiency on that end of the court. Are there some concerns, though, with a Miami offense that has scored 90, 100, and 98 points in the last three games?
The Heat run the third slowest pace in the NBA, so Magic vs Heat betting on the ‘under’ 219.5 doesn’t seem like a bad play for Friday night’s NBA matchups.
Orlando Magic vs. Miami Heat Odds
Orlando Magic vs. Miami Heat Information
Orlando Magic (19-29) vs Miami Heat (27-22)
Location of the game: Miami-Dade Arena, Miami, FL.
Date: Friday, January 27. 8:00 PM ET.
How to watch: Bally Sports
Orlando Magic vs. Miami Heat Betting Analysis
The Magic Has Showed Some Nice Balance
Orlando is a streaky team, as they won six straight games and eight of nine back in December, but that was also after losing nine in a row. Are we seeing the start of another successful run as the Magic come into Friday’s game the winners of back-to-back games?
The Magic showed some nice balance on Wednesday, with all five starters scoring at least 13 points, led by Paolo Banchero’s 23 points. Orlando scored 126 points even though Franz Wagner added just 13, as he had been on a tear with at least 20 points in six of the last ten, including a 30-point outing on January 20th in a win over the Pelicans.
Orlando has some nice NBA team stats and trends coming into this game. They have gone 8-3 ATS in their last 11 road games, are 18-6 ATS in their last 24 overall, and, just for good measure, are 5-1 ATS in their last six Friday contests.
The Heat are Coming off an Emotional Win
Like the Magic, the Heat have won three of the last four, albeit in a much lower-scoring manner. Erik Spoelstra’s club has won five in a row at home and is perfect in South Beach after their stadium redubbed itself as Miami-Dade Arena, trying to get away from FTX Arena and that cryptocurrency scandal.
You have to wonder if the Miami Heat odds are a bit high for this matchup, considering they are coming off an emotional 98-95 win over the East-leading Celtics on Tuesday. Bam Adebayo led the way with 30 points, and 15 rebounds in that contest as Miami played without Jimmy Butler (back).
Butler is not the only walking wounded for Miami coming into the game with the Magic, which does help Orlando’s NBA odds for Friday night. Max Strus (shoulder), Caleb Martin (hamstring), and Haywood Highsmith (shin) are probable but banged up, which could hurt the Heat depth.
Orlando Magic vs. Miami Heat Betting Preview
Moneyline: Orlando Magic +251, Miami Heat -320
Spread: Magic +7.5 -104, Heat -7.5 -116
Totals: Over 220.5 +102, Under 220.5 -124
The Heat are giving -7.5 points in this spot, and they’ve won eight of the last ten head-to-head meetings outright. That being said, Orlando 125-111 in their most recent meeting last April, but that was also on their own court. The Magic have also covered the spread on the NBA odds in six of their last eight trips to Miami.
Orlando Magic vs. Miami Heat Betting Prediction
Butler is probable for Friday night, and getting his NBA player stats of 21.6 ppg is a big addition for the Heat. This still looks like the visitors are the better play in the Magic vs Heat betting matchup, however.
You have to like what the rookie Banchero is doing for Orlando and when Miami slows the pace like they’ve been doing, it’s simply harder to cover a -7.5 number.
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