It will be a battle between Southeast Division opponents when the Orlando Magic (15-19) welcome the Miami Heat (25-9) to the Amway Center. The game can be seen on Fox SportsNet Florida at 7 p.m. ET on Friday, January 3, 2020.
Miami Heat vs. Orlando Magic Betting Prediction
The Heat come in on a high note after topping the Toronto Raptors in their last game, 84-76, as 14-point underdogs. The game’s combined points (160) finished well under the projected point total of 223. Miami held the Raptors to an effective field goal percentage of 0.348 (below their season average of 0.529). Toronto, on the other hand, did an excellent job of making free throws (14-17; 82.4 percent). Miami rallied around Bam Adebayo, who led the team in scoring with 15 points on 7-for-8 shooting.
In the Magic’s previous game, they dismantled the Washington Wizards, 122-101, comfortably covering as 3.5-point favorites. The game’s total points (223) finished over the O/U total of 217.5. The Magic had 11 steals and had an offensive rebounding percentage of 22.9 (above their season average of 21.7). With 20 points and 12 rebounds, Orlando’s Nikola Vucevic had a good performance.
After the Magic won three out of four games against the Heat last season, these teams will go head-to-head for the first time this year. In the most recent game, Orlando won 104-99. Orlando won the rebounding battle. The Magic had more offensive rebounds (15 vs. six), defensive rebounds (40 vs. 33) and total rebounds (55 vs. 39).
Miami holds records of 25-9 straight up (SU) and 18-13-2 against the spread (ATS). Of the Heat’s 33 games that accepted bets, 20 have finished over the total.
Meanwhile, Orlando owns records of 15-19 SU and 14-16-4 ATS. Vegas has been spot on when predicting totals of Magic games, with an even split between overs and unders.
It could be a tough matchup for Orlando on the offensive glass. The Magic rank 24th in offensive rebounding percentage (21.7 percent), while Miami ranks third in defensive rebounding percentage (79.4 percent). Furthermore, the Heat, who rank first in free throw attempt (FTA) rate (0.241), will face a tough test against the Magic, who rank fourth in opponents’ FTA rate (0.167).
Miami Heat vs. Orlando Magic Pick
Pick: ATS Winner – Heat, O/U – Over
Betting Trends
On the road, Miami is 8-8-1 ATS with 9 overs, 7 unders and 1 push.
Orlando is 6-9-2 ATS at home with 10 unders and 7 overs.
When allowing under 100 points, Orlando is 8-3 and Miami is 5-1.
The Heat are 24-5 when they reach the century mark, while the Magic are 11-9.
Orlando ranks first in points off turnovers allowed per game (14.1) while Miami ranks 26th (19.0).
The Magic rank second in blocks per game (6.5) while the Heat rank 25th (4.2).
Miami ranks second in rebounds allowed per game (41.7) while Orlando ranks 20th (46.3).
The Magic average 8.5 steals per game, which ranks third in the NBA. The Heat rank 20th in steals allowed per game (8.1).
Orlando ranks 11th in three pointers allowed per game (33.0) while Miami ranks 28th (37.4).
The Heat rank 22nd in points in the paint per game (45.5) while the Magic rank 25th (44.4).
In its last five contests, Miami is 1-4 ATS with 4 overs and 1 under.
Orlando is 3-2 ATS with 4 unders and 1 over over its last five games.
The Heat have been outscored by an average of 1.0 point in their last five games. For the season, Miami has defeated opponents by an average of 4.3 points.
During their last five games, the Magic have scored an average of 103.2 points per game (0.2 below their season average) and allowed an average of 101.0 points per game (3.6 below their season average).
