Orlando Magic at Miami Heat
Time: 7:35 PM ET, Mar 1, 2014
Spread: MIA -14
M/L: MIA +1150; ORL -1800
Total: 198.5
The Miami Heat are 41-14 and trail the Indiana Pacers by two games for the best record in the Eastern Conference. Erik Spoesltra and the Heat will host the 18-42 Orlando Magic in a game NBA oddsmakers are favoring the Heat by 14-points. Miami is 22-4 at home this season and Orlando is just 4-27 on the road.
The Heat have won its past six contests, with wins over Phoenix, Golden State, Dallas, Oklahoma City, Chicago and New York. The Heat won 108-82 over the Knicks on Feb 27 as LeBron James made his return to the lineup wearing a black protective mask that the NBA did not approve of for continued use. James had 31 points on 13-of-19 shooting and Dwyane Wade hit 10-of-13 from the floor en route to 23 points.
Wade is averaging the lowest point total since his rookie season at 18.9 points per game this year, but he’s dealt with a number of nagging injuries. James is posting 27 points, 6.0 rebounds and 6.4 assists per game. The Heat have the depth to withstand the injuries, but will want to be at full strength to take on the Indiana Pacers.
The Magic have won five of its past 10 contests and were victorious 101-90 over the Philadelphia 76ers on Feb 26. Nikola Vucevic had 21 points and 13 rebounds against his former team. The Magic rank in the bottom-third in most major statistical categories, but the team will have its first round pick as well as the worse pick between Denver and New York (as a result of the Dwight Howard trade). Orlando is looking to form its nucleus, and this year’s draft should offer the opportunity to add a player with franchise potential. The Magic are without Arron Afflalo due to an ankle injury.
ORL Trends: 0-9 ATS in last 9 road games vs teams with winning home records; UNDER 7-0 in last 7 road games vs teams with home winning percentage greater than .600; 0-4 ATS in last 4 road games vs teams with home winning percentage greater than .600.
MIA Trends: UNDER 4-0 in last 4 following SU win of more than 10 points; 3-0-1 ATS in last 4 following ATS win; UNDER 6-0 in last 6 vs teams with winning percentage below .400.
Head-to-head: UNDER 6-1 in last 7 meetings in Miami; Magic 1-4 ATS in last 5 meetings; OVER 4-1 in last 5 meetings.
