The Miami Heat (14-10) and Orlando Magic (14-10) will meet in the quarterfinals of the NBA Cup on Tuesday night. Tipoff from the Kia Center in Orlando, Florida is set for 6:00 p.m. ET on Amazon Prime Video.
The Magic are 1-point favorites over the Heat on the spread (Magic -1), with the over/under set at 235.5 total points. Orlando is a -115 favorite to win outright on the moneyline, while Miami is -105 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Heat vs. Magic predictions and my NBA Cup picks for Tuesday, December 9.
Heat vs Magic Prediction, Picks
- Heat vs Magic pick: Heat Moneyline (-105)
My Magic vs. Heat best bet is on Miami moneyline, with the best price currently available at DraftKings. However, make sure to find the best odds by checking our live NBA odds page.
Heat vs Magic Odds for NBA Cup Quarterfinals
| Heat Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+1 -110 | 235.5 -110o / -110u | -105 |
| Magic Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-1 -110 | 235.5 -110o / -110u | -115 |
Miami Heat vs Orlando Magic NBA Cup Quarterfinals Preview
On Friday night, the Magic defeated the Heat 106-105 as Franz Wagner led the way with 32 points.
They have taken the first two meetings this season, with both of them being in Orlando. They enter tonight's game having won seven of their last 10.
However, not only did they lose on Sunday in New York, but they also lost Wagner to a high left ankle sprain, and he is expected to miss a couple of weeks.
Wagner's injury comes just as the team got Paolo Banchero back in the lineup, and Wagner had mentioned how nice it was to have Banchero return.
It also means the Magic will have to wait a couple more weeks to work on the chemistry between Banchero, Wagner and offseason acquisition Desmond Bane.
Banchero has had a solid season thus far, averaging 20.4 points, 7.9 rebounds and 3.8 assists, but he has drawn criticism at times for his efficiency.
He has a 49% effective field goal percentage, and the team's offensive rating has been 2.5 points better with him off the floor.
Additionally, the Magic have a +0.9 net rating when Banchero and Bane share the floor, but nearly three points better when either of them shares the floor with Wagner.
The Heat will be healthier than they were on Friday as Tyler Herro did not play in that game.
He is averaging 23.5 points in five games this season and is listed as probable, along with Davion Mitchell and Pelle Larson.
However, they will be looking to play better than they have recently, having lost four of their last six games.
In that span, they rank 18th in offensive rating, which may be surprising considering they lead the league over the course of the season.
In fact, both the Heat and Magic lead the league in pace over the last six games. That should lead to a lot of possessions tonight.
It will also be interesting to see if head coach Erik Spoelstra goes to a bigger lineup with Bam Adebayo and Kel'el Ware to defend Banchero, or if he starts all of Herro, Andrew Wiggins and Norman Powell.
Banchero is averaging 19.4 points in 11 games against Miami, but is shooting just 38% from the field, and the Heat have won six of those matchups.
Heat vs Magic Betting Predictions, Analysis
While the Heat enter tonight's game having lost straight games, they did not have both Herro and Powell available in those matchups.
Since Herro's season debut, Miami is 2-1 with both of them available. It will also be the healthier team tonight.
Without Wagner, Miami can focus on limiting Banchero and has one of the league's best defenders for him in Adebayo.
While Adebayo can go for 20 and 10 on any given night, he will also be fine letting Herro and Powell take on the scoring load while he locks in on defense.
Additionally, Miami may be making its first NBA Cup quarterfinal appearance, but there are few coaches I'd rather have in a one-game scenario than Spoelstra. I'll back the Heat as a short road favorite.
As for tonight's same-game parlay, I will begin with Herro. He has scored 20 points in all five games this season and in three straight games against the Magic.
A few of those baskets may be assisted by Mitchell, who has seven assists or more in five straight games. He has 19 assists in two games against Orlando this season.
For Orlando, two players I like to step up are Jalen Suggs and Anthony Black.
Suggs scored 22 points against Miami on Friday and knocked down four 3-pointers.
He has scored 15 points in five of his last eight games and is averaging 21.6 points in his last three games against Miami.
Black has scored 10 points in nine of his last 10 games. He has also recorded 12+ rebounds and assists in each of his last four games.
Without Wagner, he should record 20+ PRA, as he has done in eight of his last 10 games.
Heat vs Magic Best Bet
- Heat Moneyline (-105)
Heat vs Magic Parlay Picks
- Tyler Herro 20+ Points
- Davion Mitchell Over 6.5 Assists
- Jalen Suggs 15+ Points
- Anthony Black 20+ Points, Rebounds, and Assists
Parlay Odds: +330 via DraftKings
For the latest on NBA injuries, be sure to check out our NBA Injury Report page.
