Orlando Magic vs. Miami Heat: Preview, Where to Watch and Betting Odds

Miami Heat (13-11) visit Orlando Magic at the Kia Center as the two teams clash for the second time this season. The Magic (17-12) won the first contest, a season-opening game in October by 116-97. The Eastern Conference teams meet at a time when both are on losing streaks with Miami having lost their last two and the Magic on a three-game skid. Orlando Magic are slight favorites to win the game on Sunday morning but they have an anxious wait to find out if guard Jalen Suggs will make it after a probable ankle sprain last time out.

BASKETBALL: NBA Regular Season

Where to Watch: NBA League Pass

Venue: Kia Center, Orlando

Date: 22.12.2024 03:10

Orlando Magic will play at home for the next seven games, including another clash with the Miami Heat before the end of 2024. The Magic lost at home to OKC Thunder Thursday night for its third consecutive defeat and fourth in five games. Anthony Black led the Magic with 23 points to match his career-high points haul. Goga Bitadze added 15 points while Wendell Carter helped with 10 points as the Magic failed to complete their comeback and lost the game 105-99. OKC Thunder led by 65-46 at halftime but the Magic made the game a 3-points one in the third quarter. Already without injured Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner, Jalen Suggs sprained his ankle in the first half to add to their injury woes. He is a doubt for the game against the Heat. Orlando Magic are 10-2 at home this season.

As he comes up in the second half, I just saw that there wasn't a high pace. There were moments of it, but I want to make sure that he's going to be okay for the long haul. There's too many things going on with this team when it comes to the injury bug that we want to make sure that we're smart when it comes down to that.

Jamahl Mosley (Orlando Magic Coach)

Miami Heat is sixth on the Eastern Conference standings, two places behind their hosts, and like the Magic lost to the OKC Thunder last time out. In a game where Jalen Williams of the OKC Thunder scored a season-high 33 points, Tyler Herro led the Miami Heat with 28 and 12 rebounds and Bam Adebayo chipped in with 17 points as the Heat lost a second consecutive game. However, the Heat ran the red-hot Thunder close, winning the final quarter 27-23 to finish the game 104-97. Fighting with injury worries themselves, Jimmy Butler took ill in the first quarter and Bam Adebayo needed stitches. Before the straight losses to the Detroit Pistons and OKC Thunder, the Heat had won four consecutive games.

Orlando Magic are 1.741 favorites on 1xBet with the Miami Heat 2.166 underdogs. Betway prices Orlando Magic at 1.90 to close the (- 2.5) spread with Miami Heat at 2.00 on the (+ 1.5) handicap. Total over 209 is 1.90 odds on Bet365 with both teams to score 100 points at 2.00. Read more here.