Miami Heat vs Orlando Magic Prediction & Picks - NBA

Prediction published on 12/20/24, 10:46 PM  by Carlos Zabala | Modified on 12/20/24 at 10:57 PM in NBA Picks

After winning their first 10 games of the season at the KIA Center, the Orlando Magic, who still boast the 3rd best defense in the NBA, will host a Miami Heat with a 13-12 record who will play on back-to-back nights after stringing together consecutive losses against the Pistons in overtime and then against the Thunder. However, the Miami Heat played 4 times this season on back-to-back nights and managed to win 3 of them. The bookies, on the other hand, expect a close matchup with a tendency to low points since the Magic will be favored by just 2.5 points and the game total is set at around 208 points.

The Magic already beat the Heat this season and did so in Miami 116-97 on a day when for the Heat neither Adebayo nor Butler managed to score 10 points. The Magic had a somewhat inconsistent December, failing to win two games in a row, losing their unbeaten home record against the Knicks and then losing again to the Thunder without scoring 100 points in either game.

The Magic have a tough year-end schedule ahead of them, as after Saturday's game against the Heat they will host the defending champion Celtics.