The Miami Heat (27-22, 16-9 Home), one of the league’s top scoring defenses, play host to the Orlando Magic (19-29, 6-17 Away) on Friday. Orlando topped the Indiana Pacers 126-120 at Amway Center on Wednesday. Paolo Banchero was the scoring leader with 23 points. Gary Harris chipped in with 22 points.
The Magic are 13th in the Eastern Conference. Miami won their fifth in a row at home in a close one on Tuesday at FTX Arena, beating the Boston Celtics 98-95. Bam Adebayo had 30 points and 15 rebounds to lead the team. The Heat are the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference.
The teams are meeting for the first time this season. Miami won three out of four games between the teams last season, although Orlando won 125-111 in the last meeting at Amway Center in April 2022. Mo Bamba led the Magic with 21 points and 10 rebounds.
Victor Oladipo had 40 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists in the losing effort. The Magic have been led this season by Banchero and Franz Wagner, who are averaging 20.8 and 20.2 points per game, respectively. Banchero also has dished 3.8 assists per game. Meanwhile, Bol Bol is grabbing 6.7 rebounds per game.
Adebayo and Tyler Herro have been the primary providers of the Heat’s offense, averaging 21.6 and 20.5 points per game, respectively. Adebayo also has posted 10.2 rebounds per game, ninth-most in the league. Kyle Lowry has recorded 5.5 assists per game.
The Heat are holding opponents to 108.2 points per game, ranking as one of the best scoring defenses in the league (2nd).The Magic have come up short in recent trips to FTX Arena, losing six of the last 10.
Orlando has dropped three straight on the road this season. In the last 10 games, Orlando is 5-5 with an average margin of -0.9 (115.4-116.3). Miami has gone 7-3 over the last 10, scoring 106.1 points per game on average while holding opponents to 103.1 (+3.0 margin).
MAGIC HOT/COLD
(Last Five | Season Average | Differential)
Points + Rebounds + Assists:
Jalen Suggs: 7.8 | 15.9 | -8.1
Rebounds per game:
Paolo Banchero: 3.4 | 6.4 | -3.0
HEAT HOT/COLD
(Last Five | Season Average | Differential)
Points + Rebounds + Assists:
Caleb Martin: 11.0 | 16.2 | -5.2
Points per game:
Kyle Lowry: 7.8 | 12.6 | -4.8
Rebounds per game:
Jimmy Butler: 3.5 | 6.1 | -2.6
Assists per game:
Jimmy Butler: 3.3 | 5.0 | -1.7
SportsTips’ NBA Pick:
Miami Heat -8.5 (-105)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
