The opening game of the eight-team NBA Cup knockout round is a Sunshine State battle between the Miami Heat (14-10) and Orlando Magic (14-10).
These Southeast division rivals met on Friday in Orlando as the Magic edged the Heat, 106-105. It marked Orlando’s second victory over Miami this season, as the Heat make their third trip to central Florida on Tuesday.
Both teams are coming off losses in their last trip to the court. The Heat fell to the Kings on Saturday, 127-111 to suffer their third consecutive defeat. And Orlando’s offense was held to 45 second-half points in Sunday’s 106-100 setback at New York.
Let’s look at the Heat vs. Magic prediction and NBA Cup picks for Tuesday night’s showdown at Kia Center, tipping off at 6:00 p.m. ET.
Heat vs. Magic Prediction, NBA Cup Picks
Orlando has failed to cover the point spread in four straight games. The Magic enter this matchup as 1.5-point favorites, returning a 1.88x payout on PrizePicks Team Picks if they win outright.
The Heat are road underdogs with a 1.85x payout if they win, via PrizePicks Team Picks.
- Spread: Orlando Magic -1.5
- Total: 236.5
- Game Winner Payout: Heat 1.85x | Magic 1.88x
(Data via PrizePicks Team Picks)
Here are some stats to know to get you set for Heat vs. Magic tonight, including insights on our Heat vs. Magic prediction.
- The first two matchups between the Heat and Magic have been decided by 5 points. Dating back to last season, neither team has won by more than 7 points in the past four meetings.
- Miami won six consecutive games from November 17-26, but the Heat have lost four of their past five contests.
- The Heat trailed by as many 28 points against Sacramento on Saturday, while shooting 29% from 3-point range. Miami enters Tuesday’s action tied for sixth in 3-point shooting at 37.4%.
- How about this overreaction from an over/under perspective? In the opening night matchup, the Magic outlasted the Heat, 125-121 on a 215 total. In last Friday’s rematch, the total closed at 241 and never threatened the Over with 211 combined points scored.
- Orlando’s offense exploded in the first quarter at New York on Sunday, scoring 31 points. The Magic’s shooting disappeared over the final three quarters, as they posted 69 points and shot 38% from the floor overall.
- Magic F Franz Wagner is sidelined for at least two weeks with an ankle sprain suffered in Sunday’s loss at New York. Wagner leads Orlando in scoring average at 22.7 points per game.
- Both teams own identical defensive ratings at 111.8, tied for fifth in the league.
Miami Heat
- The Heat run the fastest pace in the league at 105.4, which is an incredible leap from 27th last season.
- Miami eclipsed the Over in seven of the first nine road games, but have gone Under the total in the past two away contests.
- Head coach Erik Spoelstra’s squad has dropped six of their last nine outings away from Kaseya Center.
Orlando Magic
- The Magic have finished Under the total in four of the last five games. Prior to this stretch, Orlando hit six consecutive Overs.
- Orlando ranks eighth in points allowed per game at 113.6. Last season, the Magic yielded the fewest points per game at 105.5.
- The Magic are 7-1 in their last eight home games with the lone defeat coming in a 2-point setback to the Spurs last Wednesday.
Heat vs. Magic Prediction, NBA Cup Picks
Here are three top Heat vs. Magic picks to target on Tuesday. Key PrizePicks player projections are headlined by Miami G Norman Powell, Orlando G Desmond Bane, and Heat G Tyler Herro.
Heat G Norman Powell vs. Magic Projection: 21.5 Points
- Powell is putting together the best season of his 11-year career, averaging 24.8 ppg.
- The former UCLA standout has lit up the Magic twice, racking up 28 points in each of the first two matchups.
- The former Clipper is getting to the line against Orlando, picking up 8 and 6 points on free throws, while shooting 86.7% from the line.
- Powell is scorching hot from 3-point land on the road, hitting 49.1% of his attempts. Orlando ranks 16th in the league in defensive 3-point percentage at 36.5%.
Magic G Desmond Bane vs. Heat Projection: 22.5 Points
- In his first season with Orlando, Bane ranks third in scoring at 18.3 ppg.
- Bane performed well in his Magic debut against the Heat on October 22, putting up 23 points.
- Miami slowed down the former TCU star last Friday, as he shot 2-of-16 from the floor and finished with 5 points.
- Since the 23-point output in the opener, Bane has finished with fewer than 22 points in nine of Orlando's last 12 home games.
- The former Grizzlies G posted 37 points in consecutive wins over the Pistons and Bulls before scoring a total of 35 points in the past three games.
Heat G Tyler Herro vs. Magic Projection: 24.5 Pts+Asts
- In five games since returning from ankle surgery, Herro is averaging 23.8 ppg and 2.2 rpg.
- The former Kentucky sharpshooter has eclipsed this projection in two of five outings.
- Herro has dished out 2 or fewer assists in four games with his season-high sitting at 7 dimes against Milwaukee on November 26.
- He has not faced the Magic this season, but averaged 21.5 ppg and 5.5 assists in four matchups last season.
- In his one road game, Herro shot 2-of-7 from 3-point range at Dallas. In four home outings, he's connected on 54% of his shots from downtown.
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The Heat and Magic tip off the quarterfinals of the NBA Cup as Miami looks to break through against Orlando for the first time in three meetings.
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