Heat vs Magic Picks and Prediction – 12/22/2024

Southeast Division rivals will square off on Saturday night, when the Miami Heat invade the Kia Center to take on the Orlando Magic. For other NBA action see our NBA Predictions. The Heat (13-12) are two games below .500 on the road and are tied with Milwaukee for fifth place in the Eastern Conference standings. Last night, Miami missed 28 of 40 three-point attempts and shot 43 percent overall during a 104-97 home loss versus Oklahoma City. 

Miami G Tyler Herro tallied a game-high 28 points (11-24 FG) to go along with 12 rebounds and five assists. All-Star C Bam Adebayo scored 17 points on 7-for-11 shooting and pulled down ten boards. Duncan Robinson added 13 points and six assists for the Heat. 

The Orlando Magic have won ten of their first 12 home games and trail New York by one full game for third place in the Eastern Conference standings. The Magic (17-12) rank third in the league in defensive efficiency and are allowing 103.6 points per game. On Thursday, Orlando was outscored by 18 points during the second quarter of a 105-99 home loss versus Oklahoma City. 

Anthony Black led six Orlando players in double figures with 23 points (8-14 FG) in 31 minutes off the bench. Tristan da Silva and Goga Bitadze added 15 points apiece for the Magic, who outrebounded the Thunder by a 40-32 margin.

Orlando G Jalen Suggs exited Thursday’s loss with an ankle injury and is listed as questionable for this contest. The Magic have dropped consecutive home games and are looking to snap a three-game losing streak overall. Take Orlando to flex their defensive muscle and cover at home. Final Score Prediction, Orlando Magic win 108-99.