Magic vs. Heat: 3 Best Bets
The Orlando Magic travels south to take on the Miami Heat tonight for the second time this season. The Magic is 0-1 against the Heat this season, and the matchup has massive ramifications for standings in the NBA Eastern Conference.
Both teams are 21-16 and have playoff hopes, but both teams are coming at it from different standpoints. The Heat has a veteran cast of stars looking to make a title run, and Orlando is built around young talent trying to prove themselves.
Orlando Magic's Paolo Banchero (5).
Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports
For Miami, Tyler Herro is questionable, Kyle Lowry and Jimmy Butler are doubtful, and Caleb Martin and Dru Smith will not play. Orlando with be without Wendell Carter Jr., Franz Wagner, Gary Harris, and Jonathan Isaac.
Check out below for our three best bets, powered by the lines at SI Sportsbook.
The Lines
Point spread: Heat -2.5 (-110)/Magic +2.5 (-118)
Moneyline: Heat (-133)/Magic (+105)
Over/under: 219.5
Our Picks
Safe Pick: Paolo Banchero OVER 27.5 points (-125)
Paolo Banchero has hit this line in five of his last seven games, on the way to averaging 30.3 points and solidifying himself as not just a great young player, but a great player period. Granted, Banchero only scored ten points in his last matchup with the Heat, going only two-for-12 from deep, but this version of Banchero is an entirely different animal, and with Wagner out, Paolo will keep lighting it up.
Opponent pick: Bam Adebayo OVER 24.5 points (-110)
Adebayo scored 18 points against Orlando earlier in the season and is averaging 25 over his last three games. If both Herro and Butler sit, it should be a given that Adebayo is the lead scorer for Miami. If either of them plays, maybe reconsider placing this bet.
Team pick: UNDER 219.5 points (-110)
With Banchero, Adebayo, and Jamie Jaquez Jr. being the only scoring threats in this matchup, the under is looking good. Both teams have solid defenses, and with stars sitting out, offensive play could get ugly. Orlando’s backcourt is talented, but they are not efficient volume scorers, and if Herro doesn’t play, Miami will have similar issues.
