Orlando Magic (0-0) vs. Miami Heat (0-0)
October 23, 2024 7:30 pm EDT
The Line: Miami Heat -1.5; Over/Under: +208.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Orlando Magic and Miami Heat meet Wednesday in NBA action at the Kaseya Center. Here’s a Miami Heat vs Orlando Magic Prediction. This article will include a Miami Heat vs Orlando Magic Pick.
Orlando Magic Betting Preview
The Magic play the Nets and Grizzlies next. The Orlando Magic were a surprise last season with 47 wins and a playoff appearance. The Magic enter year four under coach Jamahl Mosley. The Magic bring back the young core that made that success happen in Jalen Suggs, Franz Wagner, Wendell Carter Jr., and Paolo Banchero. The Magic’s key addition was Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, who brings championship experience and timely shooting to the table. If Wagner and Banchero, especially, can take another leap, 40-plus wins in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 2010-11 is a realistic possibility.
The Magic have made the playoffs just three times since the 2012-13 season, so this winning thing is still fresh. However, the Magic feel like a team on the rise and capable of pushing the rest of the East.
Miami Heat Betting Preview
The Heat play the Hornets and Pistons next. The Miami Heat won 46 games last season, were bounced in the first round, and entered the 17th year under coach Erik Spoelstra. The Heat didn’t make many moves this offseason outside of signing Alec Burks and drafting Kel’el Ware. The Heat are banking on a full season of Terry Rozier, the health of Tyler Herro and Jimmy Butler, and the improvement of Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Nikola Jovic. The Heat have the championship pedigree and the fantastic coaching, but you have to question if there’s enough to be a real contender. The core of this Heat team is the same as it was when it made the finals in 2022-23, and it wasn’t enough. It still feels like the Heat are a move away from seriously contending.
The Heat have missed the playoffs just three times since the 2008-09 season. The Heat have won no less than 40 games in 8 of the last 9 years.
Miami Heat vs Orlando Magic Injury Report
The Orlando Magic don’t have any players listed on their injury report. Josh Richardson is listed as day-to-day for the Heat due to a shoulder injury.
Why the Miami Heat will win
- The home team has won each of the Magic’s last 13 games.
- The Magic have lost each of their last nine games at Kaseya Center.
- The home team has covered the spread in 12 of the Magic’s last 13 games.
- The Magic have failed to cover the spread in seven of their last eight road games.
Total Points Facts
- Each of the Heat’s last eight Wednesday games as favorites has gone UNDER the total points line.
- Each of the Magic’s last five road openers as underdogs has gone OVER the total points line.
Miami Heat vs Orlando Magic Prediction
The Orlando Magic have a history of giving the Heat issues, but it’s Miami that has won 7 of the last 10 games. While it was the Magic that made noise in the playoffs and is a young team on the rise, the Heat are simply still the better roster overall and are saying a lot of the right things this offseason. I still believe the Heat are a move away from being taken seriously, but the Heat are still a playoff team with a couple of top-25 players. While the Magic are heading in the right direction, this line is a little disrespectful toward the Heat. I’ll gladly lay the bucket.
