A pair of Southeast division rivals will square off in an NBA battle on Tuesday night in Florida. The Miami Heat will host the Orlando Magic looking to win their third straight game after a slow start to the season. The Magic will be wrapping up a long six-game road trip in Miami on Tuesday night. Orlando has gone 2-3 during this recent trip.
Both the Orlando Magic and Miami Heat are under .500 this season, but they are fortunate to be playing in a horrible division. The Magic are actually tied for first place in the division with an 11-12 record coming into this game. Miami is just a game and a half out of first place with a 9-13 record this season. The Heat are two-point favorites over the Magic in this game.
Magic Struggling to Score
The Orlando Magic look like one of the up and coming teams in the NBA, but they still have a ways to go this season. Orlando is averaging just 105.8 points per game this season, which is near the bottom of the league. The Magic were able to get a win in their previous game but scored just 99 points. Thankfully, Orlando continues to defend at a high level, limiting opponents to 108.1 points per game.
Nikola Vucevic has been the offensive star for the Magic so far this season. He leads the team with 21 points and 11.3 rebounds per game and is playing at an All-Star level. Power forward Aaron Gordon is averaging 16.1 points per game in support of Vucevic, but he is supposed to be the face of the franchise. If the Magic are going to make a run at the playoffs this season, Vucevic and Gordon will carry them.
Heat Have Balanced Scoring
The Heat don’t have an explosive offensive team, but they do have plenty of depth. Miami has seven different players that are averaging double figures this season, and they have a sold mix of veterans and rookies. Shooting god Josh Richardson leads the Heat with 20.3 points per game this season, and point guard Goran Dragic has dished out 4.7 assists per game.
The Heat are not as good of a defensive team as the Magic, but they have played well on that end of the floor. Miami is giving up just 109.6 points per game this season, which is better than league average. The Heat are one of the top rebounding teams in the NBA, with center Hassan Whiteside averaging 13.9 boards per game. Whiteside is also an elite rim protector, leading the NBA with 2.9 blocks per game.
Miami Gets Revenge on Magic
The Miami Heat lost a close game to the Orlando Magic in their last matchup, and they will be looking for revenge in this game. This should be a low scoring game, as both teams really struggle to score. Miami has been playing well of late, and playing at home should give them the edge over their in-state rivals. Bet the Miami Heat -2.0 over the Orlando Magic on Tuesday night.
