The Miami Heat (13-12) travel to face off against the Orlando Magic (17-12) on Saturday, December 21st. This game will be played at Kia Center in Orlando and televised on FDSF. Both the Heat and Magic will be looking to bounce back from losses in their previous games. Tip off is scheduled for 7:00 ET.

Heat vs Magic

The Heat Look To Bounce Back From A Loss

The Heat fell to 13-12 on the season after a 104-97 home loss to the Thunder on Friday. Miami, who entered the game as +1 point underdogs, failed to cover the spread. The game’s total of 201 points came in well under the 217-point line.

Miami went on a 12-0 run, turning a 58-51 deficit into a 63-58 lead, but the Thunder responded by outscoring the Heat 31-23 in the 3rd quarter. Miami made a push in the 4th, outscoring OKC 27-23, but couldn’t overcome the 81-70 deficit they faced entering the final period.

The Magic Look To Bounce Back From A Loss

The Magic fell to 17-12 this season after a 105-99 loss to the Thunder on Thursday. Orlando, who were +6.5 point underdogs, kept it close at home, losing by just six points. The game’s total of 204 points came in under the 209.5-point line.

A 12-0 run by the Thunder in the 2nd quarter was pivotal, as they outscored the Magic 36-18 in that period. Orlando fought back, winning the 3rd quarter 28-17 and edging the 4th quarter 25-23, but couldn’t complete the comeback.

Heat Offense Breakdown

In their 97-point performance against the Thunder, the Heat struggled offensively, shooting 43.4% from the field and hitting just 30% of their three-point attempts, making 12 threes overall. Tyler Herro led Miami with 28 points, 12 rebounds, and 5 assists, shooting 45.8% from the field and 30% from beyond the arc, connecting on 3 threes.

Bam Adebayo contributed 17 points and 10 rebounds, shooting 63.6%, while Duncan Robinson added 13 points, despite shooting 28.6% from the field and 27.3% from three, where he also made 3 threes. Dru Smith matched Robinson with 13 points, scoring 5 points in the 3rd and 4th quarters.

Magic Offense Breakdown

Anthony Black led the Magic with 23 points, 12 of which came in the 4th quarter, in their 99-point effort against the Thunder. He shot 57.1% from the field and hit 3 threes at a 50% clip. Goga Bitadze and Tristan Da Silva each added 15 points, with Da Silva also connecting on 3 threes.

The Magic shot 44.9% from the field and 31.4% from deep, making 11 threes in the game. Black’s 4th quarter surge wasn’t enough as Orlando fell short in the loss.

Heat Team Defense

Defensively, the Heat had a strong 2nd and 4th quarter but couldn’t contain the Thunder, who shot 45% from the field. Miami allowed 31 points in the 3rd quarter, contributing to their 104-97 loss.

The Heat struggled to defend the three-point line, with the Thunder hitting 14 threes at a 41% clip. Miami sent Oklahoma City to the line 17 times, where they made 12 free throws. The Heat recorded 9 steals and 3 blocks.

Magic Team Defense

Defensively, the Heat gave up 104 points to the Thunder on Friday, including 30 in the 1st and 31 in the 3rd. They tightened up in the 2nd, allowing just 20 points, and gave up 23 in the 4th.

Miami allowed Oklahoma City to shoot 45% from the field and 41% from three, with the Thunder hitting 14 threes. The Heat sent them to the line 17 times, where they made 12 free throws. Miami finished with 9 steals and 3 blocks.

Heat vs Magic Trends

• Through their last ten road contests, the Heat offense has averaged 111 points per game while allowing an average of 114. Miami posted an overall record of 3-7 while going 3-7 ATS.
• Across the Magic last three home games, the team averaged 103 points per game while allowing 106. Their record vs the spread in these contests was 1-2, while going 1-2 straight-up.
• Going back to their last five games as the underdog, the Heat have a straight up record of 2-3. But, their mark vs the spread was just 2-3.
• The last ten games that Orlando was favored, they have an ATS mark of 7-3 while going 8-2 straight up.

Heat vs Magic Prediction

Coming in as the underdogs at +3, we have the Heat as the way to go on the point spread. Not only do we have them covering, but our projections show they have a good one of winning this one straight-up, if you’re looking for a higher payout on the moneyline.

As for the over/under, the the line is currently at 208.5, and our model projects the Heat and Magic to reach a combined total of 226 points. Our bet is on taking the over.

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All odds are courtesy of Action247 Sportsbook. Good luck!!

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* All odds are provided by Action247 Sportsbook and all odds subject to change.**All views expressed are my own. My picks are my own and are not a guarantee, bet at your own risk.Action247 does not warrant the accuracy of completeness of the information, text, graphics, links or other items contained within these post.