The Miami Heat (14-13) and Orlando Magic (19-12) face off in the NBA tonight. Tipoff is set for 7:00 p.m. ET at the Kia Center in Orlando. The game will broadcast live on NBA League Pass.
The Magic are 1-point favorites over the Heat on the spread, with the over/under set at 208.5 total points. Orlando is a -115 favorite to win outright, while Miami is -105 to pull off the upset.
Let's get to my Heat vs. Magic predictions and NBA picks for Thursday night.
Heat vs. Magic Prediction, Picks
Spread
With the Magic dealing with so many injuries, and listed as short home favorites, I will not be picking either side of the spread in tonight's matchup.
Over/Under
My Magic vs Heat best bet is on the Over at 208.5 total points, with the best line available at bet365. But as always, make sure to shop for the best line using our live NBA odds page.
My Pick: Over 208.5 Points (-110)
Heat vs. Magic Odds, Spread, Over/Under
| Heat Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+1 -110 | 208.5 -110 / -110 | -105 |
| Magic Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-1 -110 | 208.5 -110 / -110 | -115 |
- Heat vs Magic spread: Magic -1
- Heat vs Magic over/under: 208.5 total points
- Heat vs Magic moneyline: Heat -105, Magic -115
- Heat vs Magic best bet: Over 208.5 (-110)
Miami Heat vs. Orlando Magic NBA Preview
It was just five days ago that the Heat and Magic faced off, which was also in Orlando. The Heat thought they were on the verge of an easy win without Jimmy Butler as they built a 25-point lead. However, the Magic outscored them 37-8 in the fourth quarter for an 121-114 victory.
What made the comeback even more improbable was the fact that Orlando was without its three best players, Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner, and Jalen Suggs. Adding to the list was sixth man Moritz Wagner, who played just two minutes last Saturday before tearing the ACL in his left knee and will miss the rest of the season.
Suggs is expected to be back tonight, but Cole Anthony filled in and sparked the comeback with 35 points, eight rebounds, and nine assists. It is his only game over 20 points this season. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope knocked down five 3-pointers on his way to 24 points, while Goga Bitadze had 18 points and 13 rebounds and was a perfect 8-for-8 from the field. Bitadze has now had 10 rebounds in five of his last six games.
For the Heat, they probably won't get Jimmy Butler back tonight, as he is listed as doubtful. If Butler has his way, he may not be in Miami much longer altogether.
That means Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo will continue to carry the load offensively. Herro has showed off a solid all-around game, as he is averaging 23.9 points, 5.8 rebounds, and five assists while shooting 47% from the field this season. He has scored even more on the road, where he is averaging 25.8 points per game.
Adebayo has come on strong of late after a slow start to the season. This month, he is averaging 18 points, 11 rebounds, and 4.9 assists per game. The Magic are tough matchup for rebounds as he finished with six in the last matchup, but he did score 23 points.
Heat vs. Magic Best Bets, Predictions
In pace, Orlando and Miami rank 25th and 27th, respectively. They are also both top 10 in defensive rating. You expect a grind-it-out slugfest when these teams get together. Yet, the last three meetings have gone over with 216, 213, and 235 points. Tonight, we only need 209 points to get the over, and I have to back this total going over for the value.
Two players I expect to contribute to the total are Herro and Adebayo. Herro has scored 20 points in seven of his last 10 games and had 22 against Orlando last Saturday.
Adebayo has scored 18 points in three of his last five games and was hooked on 17 in another. He has also scored 18 points in four of his last six against Orlando, going over 20 in three of them.
Meanwhile, his counterpart, Bitadze, has been strong on the glass, as he is averaging nearly nine rebounds per game as a starter, and has a great matchup tonight against Miami, who is 27th in rebounds allowed to centers.
Best Bet: Over 208.5 (Play to 209.5)
Magic vs. Heat Parlay Picks
- Tyler Herro 20+ Points
- Bam Adebayo Over 17.5 Points,
- Goga Bitadze 10+ Rebounds
Parlay Payout: +291
