Tag: Magic

The playoff charge begins now for the Orlando Magic after finally re-emerging from their injury nightmare, and tonight, they face a Miami Heat team that’s got a decision to make on Jimmy Butler.

Butler is seemingly available again after his latest suspension, but my Magic vs. Heat predictions load up on a rejuvenated Orlando and its superstar duo.

Read on for my NBA picks for tonight’s clash, with both teams trying to climb above the play-in line.

Magic vs Heat prediction

My best bet
Magic moneyline (-110 at bet365)

My analysis
It’s been a tough grind for the Orlando Magic since their 15-7 start, but they’ve finally reached the light at the end of the tunnel with Franz Wagner back in the lineup and Paolo Banchero off his minutes limit.

The Magic came alive offensively in the fourth quarter on Saturday, scoring 42 points to sink the Pistons, and Wagner’s return slots everyone back into their best roles. He and Banchero combined for 64 points that night, with Tristan da Silva and Anthony Black sliding back to the bench.

Given all the drama in Miami, I’m taking the Orlando moneyline here and banking on the visitors’ defense — still allowing the second-fewest points per game despite all the injuries — to set the tone and limit the hosts’ 3-point attack.

Jalen Suggs (questionable) would be the obvious choice for the Tyler Herro assignment, but the Magic have plenty of other options to pester perimeter scorers without sacrificing anything on the boards.

This pick also reflects on the Miami Heat’s challenging month. With Butler in and out of the locker room, they’ve lost five of their last seven contests, and they’re 19-25 ATS overall this year. A weekend win over the lottery-bound Nets was nothing to write home about — and at this stage, it’s hard to know whether having Butler on the court is really a plus for Miami.

The Magic have won two of the teams’ three matchups this year, and I expect Jamahl Mosley’s relentless roster to have the last laugh again tonight.

Magic vs Heat same-game parlay

Magic moneyline

First half Under 107.5

Paolo Banchero Over 22.5 points

With the Magic’s conveyor belt of pesky, long-armed defenders, it’s no surprise they’ve peppered the Under again this season — it’s now 49-31 in their last 80 games. While that feels like a value pick again here, I prefer the first-half Under at 107.5

Orlando has cashed in the first-half Under in 53 of its past 87 contests, and the visitors’ offense ranks dead last in the league this year with just 51.5 first-half points per game. Though the Magic’s two best scorers have been reunited, both of these teams would prefer to drag this into a bruising, low-scoring battle, similar to the 89-88 scoreline of their Boxing Day clash.

I’m also taking the Over on the Paolo Banchero points prop. He played 40 minutes against the Pistons — the most since his return from a torn oblique — and poured in 32 points on 11-for-22 shooting. That’s a good sign for Orlando, and he’s gone past the 20-point mark in six of his eight outings this month.

Banchero was a beast in the season opener against Miami, with an efficient 33-point effort, and I see him getting the better of the Heat frontcourt tonight.

Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.

Magic vs Heat odds

Magic vs Heat live odds

Magic vs Heat opening odds

• Spread: Orlando -1 | Miami +1
• Moneyline: Orlando -110 | Miami -110
• Over/Under: Over 207.5 | Under 207.5

Odds courtesy of bet365.

Magic vs Heat spread and Over/Under analysis

• The sportsbooks essentially have this as a coin flip — but the Magic are 17-10 with Franz Wagner in the line-up this season, while the Heat are an underwhelming 17-17 in their last 34 home games.
• The Over has been a winning ticket in three of the last four meetings between these teams, but the Under is 19-28 for Orlando this year. 
• Miami has fallen short of the 110-point mark in five of its past seven contests.
• The Magic have hit the third-quarter Under in 27 of their last 41 games.

Magic vs Heat trend

The Heat have dropped four of their last five outings at Kaseya Center. Find more NBA betting trends for Magic vs. Heat.

How to watch Magic vs Heat

Magic vs Heat latest injuries

Pages related to this topic