Miami Heat vs. Orlando Magic
Saturday, 1/4/14, 7:00 PM EST
Opening Point Spread: N/A
Current Betting Line: N/A
Opening Total: N/A
Current Total: N/A
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker
Miami had its two-game winning streak snapped last time out, as it suffered a 123-114 setback to the Golden State Warriors as 5.5-point home favorites Thursday, while going OVER the betting total for the third time in four contests. The Heat are 10-5 SU on the road during the 2013-14 campaign, including a 6-4 mark versus Eastern Conference opponents, which can’t be ignored when making your pro basketball picks. Shooting guard Dwyane Wade is the key player to handicap in this matchup, as he’s averaged 28.1 points in his career in this series. Miami is 4-2 SU and 3-3 ATS off a upset loss as a favorite this season, with the OVER going 4-2 in that situation.
The Heat have won their last seven games against the Magic, which is important to consider when looking over the pro basketball odds page. Miami has currently won 21-straight divisional games—tying for the second-longest such streak in NBA history. Forward LeBron James figures to lead the charge alongside Wade offensively, as he’s scored in double figures in 526 consecutive games.
Orlando has managed to score just 81 points in each of its last two setbacks, which has led to the UNDER cashing in each of those affairs. The Magic totally collapsed down the stretch against the Cleveland Cavaliers last time out—a defeat that may linger in the early going against the two-time defending NBA champions. “We blew it, bottom line,” commented Magic forward Tobias Harris. The team is 7-10 SU at home this season, including a winning 5-4 mark versus conference rivals. Orlando is 3-7 SU and 6-4 ATS when playing a team with a winning record this season.
The Magic are hoping that center Nikola Vucevic is able to play in this matchup, as he’s listed as questionable with an ankle injury. He is averaging 13.4 points and 11.1 rebounds on the season. Orlando is certainly going through some growing pains in its second season since the departure of star center Dwight Howard, as it entered the year as the fifth-youngest roster in the league.
Sports bettors will likely back the Heat due to their 16-5 ATS mark in their last 21 games following a SU loss.
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