Miami Heat vs. Orlando Magic: Odds, Picks, and Predictions
The Miami Heat are set to face the Orlando Magic in the NBA Cup quarterfinals on Tuesday. Both teams are currently tied with a record of 14 wins and 10 losses. The game will be held at the Kia Center in Orlando, Florida, with a scheduled tip-off at 6 p.m. ET. Fans can watch the game on Prime Video.
Miami Heat vs. Orlando Magic: Key Matchup Overview
This matchup marks the third encounter this season between the two teams, with the Magic leading the series 2-0. They secured victories at home on two occasions: first, 125-121 on October 22, and again, 106-105 on Friday.
Recent Performance
The Heat come into this quarterfinal following three consecutive losses and four defeats in their last five games. Their last outing resulted in a 127-111 loss to the Sacramento Kings, where they were favored by 8.5 points. The total points for that game went under the line of 241.
On the other hand, the Magic have won 10 of their last 14 games but have slipped in performance recently, losing two of their last three contests. They faced the New York Knicks on Sunday, losing 106-100 as 1-point underdogs. In that game, they lost their leading scorer, forward Franz Wagner, to a high ankle sprain during the first quarter.
Current Betting Odds
According to BetMGM Sportsbook, here are the latest odds for the game:
- Moneyline: Heat -110, Magic -110
- Against the spread (ATS): Heat -1.5 (+100), Magic +1.5 (-120)
- Over/Under (O/U): 235.5 (O: -110, U: -110)
Injuries and Player Updates
Injuries are an important factor going into this game:
- Heat:
- Tyler Herro (toe) – Probable
- Pelle Larsson (hip) – Probable
- Davion Mitchell (groin) – Probable
- Terry Rozier – Out
- Dru Smith (hip) – Questionable
- Magic:
- Franz Wagner (ankle) – Out
- Moritz Wagner (knee) – Out
Predictions and Betting Strategy
Experts predict a close contest, favoring the Heat to win with a predicted score of 111 to 105. Miami’s Tyler Herro is back and performing well, averaging 23.8 points over his last five games. The Heat have struggled on the road, holding a 4-7 record, while the Magic have excelled at home with a 9-4 record.
Given that six of the Heat’s seven losses have occurred without Herro, he is a crucial player for Miami. Notably, with a spread of just 1.5 points, betting on the Heat appears to provide better value. Although Miami could also be an option for the moneyline, they have a tendency to win by margins of two points or more.
Furthermore, considering the total points scored, recent trends show that four of the Magic’s last ten games have surpassed 235 points. In contrast, the total has remained below 235 in four of the Magic’s last five losses. Thus, betting on the under 235.5 points could be a wise choice.
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