– Last Updated on August 28, 2019 11:09 pm
Free NBA Pick: Magic vs Heat NBA Odds
Looking for Orlando Magic vs. Miami Heat free NBA picks & NBA odds? NBA betting sees the Magic taking on the Heat on Tuesday December 4, 2018 at American Airlines Arena. Cappers Picks provides complimentary expert handicapping picks on all NBA basketball matchups so stay tuned for more FREE daily NBA hoops predictions like this Magic Heat matchup.
(11-12) Orlando Magic vs. Miami Heat (9-13)
Date: Tuesday December 4
Time: 7:00PM EST
Venue: American Airlines Arena, Miami, Florida
NBA Moneyline Odds: OFF
NBA Betting Odds: Heat -1.5
NBA Betting Total: 207½
Live NBA Odds
Updated Sportsbook Bonuses For TodayClick here to view… NBA ATS Stats & Expert NBA Betting Insight for this game!
Tuesday, December 4 sees an intra-state battle of two Eastern Conference teams who are right on the periphery of the playoff picture, in the Orlando Magic and the Miami Heat.
The visiting Magic currently hold the eighth spot in the conference, while Miami is in ninth, sitting a few games under .500. The entire league has been notoriously top-heavy, with the lower-seeded playoff teams being part of the NBA’s lower middle class. The two Florida teams find themselves there, although perhaps they’re showing some elements to try and climb out of that ignominious spot.
Orlando Magic
The Magic are putting together a solid little campaign to date, largely thanks to a strong team defense, which ranks seventh in the NBA in points allowed per. They currently sit tied for first in the Southeast division, although that is a knock on the division more than it is singing the praises of Orlando. When the Magic have the ball, they rely on big European Nikola Vucevic (21 pts, 11.3 rebounds average per game), and then the three-headed monster of Aaron Gordon, Evan Fournier and Terrence Ross.
Check out the free sports picks from Cappers Picks experts today!
Ross was always an athletic wing player and a good shooter (if sometimes a little hesitant to use his high-flying abilities at the rim) who was always lost in the shuffle of a deep Toronto Raptors roster. He’s thrived in Florida. Fournier is a Frenchman with a well-rounded game; he’s averaging career-highs in points, rebounds and assists. Finally, Gordon is a lanky guy who is coming into his own in his age-23 season. He doesn’t shoot a lot of threes, but lets his athleticism do the talking.
While Orlando displays a good team concept, it would help if the Magic had a little more pure scoring in the lineup. Orlando ranks just 25th in the league in points per game (105.8). It’s clearly not the Shaq and Penny Hardaway years, but it does appear that Orlando is gradually improving.
[dfads params=’groups=20599&limit=1&return_javascript=1′]
Miami Heat
The Heat are nothing close to the juggernaut they were a few years ago with LeBron, Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade in the fold, although Wade’s retirement swan song this season has been a nice narrative. There’s a new normal in south Florida now, and it’s not entirely awful – certainly after feeling good with two consecutive wins to New Orleans and Utah.
Most of the scoring is done by the guard duo of Josh Richardson and Goran Dragic, although even Wade at his advanced age (36, but an old 36 with a lot of miles driving to the hoop on those legs) is still average 15 points per game. Impressive to see that he’s going to hang ’em up while he remains of some use to the team; there aren’t many players that know the right time to step away.
Check out the free NBA basketball picks from Cappers Picks experts today!
Hassan Whiteside is an imposing rim presence, averaging nearly 14 rebounds per game (13.9) and just shy of three blocks. He’s really a defensive animal out there. What is also peculiar about the player in today’s game is, despite only being in his sixth season, Whiteside is 29 years old. The vast majority of players enter the league after a season or two of college, so Whiteside got a late jump on things for a 21st Century NBA player. Regardless, Miami is getting a rim protector in his prime at the moment.
NBA Betting Trends:
- Under is 10-1 in ORL last 11 Tue. games.
- Under is 14-4 in MIA last 18 Tue. games.
- Over is 9-3 in MIA last 12 vs. Eastern Conference.
- Under is 6-2 in MIA last 8 overall.
- Underdog is 7-2 ATS in the last 9 meetings.
- ORL are 6-2 ATS in the last 8 meetings.
Free Orlando Magic vs. Miami Heat NBA Prediction:
In addition to playing good ‘D’, the Magic also whip the ball around in the half-court set with aplomb. Their 26.2 assists per game on average rank sixth in the NBA, despite the team leader being point guard D.J. Augustin with only 5.4 per. It’s good team, collegiate-style hoops out there from head coach Steve Clifford’s young men.
Both teams are feeling a good vibe coming off victories, but I think I like Orlando’s defense and ball movement to prevail in a close contest in this one. Expect more glad-handing with Wade on his retirement tour, but we should be treated to a decent in-state rivalry on Tuesday night in South Beach.
4* Free NBA Betting Pick: Magic ATS
Whiteside might swallow up Vucevic capably in this game, but I expect Orlando’s trio of smaller players to best the guard duo of Miami’s and a creaky D-Wade.
NBA Free Score Prediction: Magic 115 – Heat 107
If you’re looking for more NBA picks like this Orlando Magic vs. Miami Heat matchup we’ll be providing 4* free NBA predictions on the blog during the entire 2018/19 NBA season, and check out our Experts for guaranteed premium & free NBA predictions!
CappersPicks.com has NBA Odds up on a ton of championship futures, and you will also find DAILY NBA lines up as well.