Miami Heat vs Orlando Magic Betting Pick & Prediction 12/26/24

At 7:00 ET, the Orlando Magic will host the Miami Heat in an Eastern Southeast division matchup. The Magic are currently favored by 1.5 points and have won two straight games. The Heat (+101) are 14-13 on the season and sit 6th in the Eastern Conference. The over/under line is set at 207.5 points.

This game will be played at the Kia Center in Orlando. The Magic (-120) are 19-12 overall and are 4th in the East. Miami is 2nd in the Southeast division.

MIAMI HEAT VS ORLANDO MAGIC BETTING PICK

The Pick: Miami Heat +1.5

This game will be played at Kia Center at 7:00 ET on Thursday, December 26th.

WHY BET THE MIAMI HEAT:

• We have this one finishing with a projected score of 128-77 in favor of the Heat.
• Our projections have Tyler Herro finishing with 21 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists.
• From the field, we have the Heat finishing with a field goal percentage of 46.1% and knocking down 15 threes.

Will the Miami Defense Show Up on the Road?

Miami moved above .500 for the season with a 110-95 win over the Nets on Monday, improving to 14-13. The Heat were favored by 9.5 points and covered the spread, while the game’s total of 205 points fell short of the 210.5 O/U line.

Miami jumped out to a 39-28 lead after the 1st quarter, but Brooklyn responded by taking the 2nd quarter 29-19. The Heat regained control by winning the 3rd quarter 25-21 and pulled away in the 4th, outscoring the Nets 27-17 to seal the win.

The Heat shot 49.3% from the field and connected on 17 threes at a 41.5% clip in their win over the Nets. Bam Adebayo led the way with 23 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 assists, shooting 66.7% from the floor.

Nikola Jovic added 18 points, hitting 4 threes at 80% efficiency. Tyler Herro and Duncan Robinson each contributed 17 points, with Herro also grabbing 12 rebounds and dishing out 9 assists.

The Heat’s defense shined in their win over the Nets, holding them to just 95 points on 39% shooting. Miami tightened up in the 4th quarter, allowing only 17 points to secure the victory.

From beyond the arc, the Nets hit 13 threes at a 38% clip. The Heat sent Brooklyn to the line 20 times, where they made 16 free throws. Miami also recorded 6 steals and 3 blocks.

Can the Magic Secure a Win at Home?

The Magic improved to 19-12 on the season with a 108-104 win over the Celtics on Monday. Orlando, who were +10 point underdogs, not only pulled off the upset but also covered the spread. The total score of 212 points fell just under the 214.5-point line.

Orlando rallied after a slow start, where they trailed 58-43 at halftime. They turned things around with a strong 3rd quarter, outscoring Boston 36-21, and went into the 4th tied at 79. The Magic then edged out the Celtics 29-25 in the final quarter to secure the win.

In their win over the Celtics, the Magic shot 44.6% from the field, but connected on 13 threes at a 39.4% clip. Tristan da Silva led the way with 18 points, hitting 4 threes at 50%, while Trevelin Queen added 17 points and 3 threes, shooting 75% from deep.

Jalen Suggs contributed 16 points, including 9 in the 3rd quarter. Queen also had a big 3rd, scoring 10 points in the period.

Despite a shaky start, the Magic tightened up defensively after the 1st quarter, allowing just 26 points in the 2nd and 21 in the 3rd to help secure a win over the Celtics. Orlando held Boston to 104 points on 44% shooting.

The Magic were particularly effective in defending the three, limiting the Celtics to 8 made threes on 24% shooting. Orlando also recorded 11 steals and 9 blocks in the game.