The Miami Heat finally got their new piece rolling in a blowout win of the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday. They’ll be given another chance to roll against one of the East’s bottom-dwellers in the Orlando Magic. But the Magic are on a small winning run of their own, and won’t figure to bow down without quite a fight.
Can the Heat stay hot with Goran Dragic in tow? Or does Orlando have a trick up its sleeve? Read on as we break down this Eastern clash.
Line: Miami Heat (-2.5) at Orlando Magic (+2.5); total 198.5 – view all NBA lines
Betting on the Miami Heat
Welcome to Miami, Goran Dragic. The former Suns guard put up a stinker in his Heat debut shooting 4-of-11 from the field in a 105-91 loss to New Orleans on Saturday. He quickly put that behind him and exploded for 23 points and 10 assists in the Heat’s 119-108 win over Philadelphia on Monday.
Dragic may be due for another big game at Orlando. He had 22 points, eight rebounds and four assists in his lone game against the Magic as a Sun this season.
[sc:NBA240banner ]While he can definitely put up the points, Dragic can also collect plenty of dimes taking over as Miami’s point guard. Orlando has routinely left passing lanes open this season to rank in the bottom third in the league in assists allowed per game (23.5). Dragic has plenty of options to dish out dimes sharing the court with the likes of Hassan Whiteside, Dwyane Wade and Luol Deng.
Whiteside has been a machine with five double-doubles in eight games he’s played in this month. He’s averaging 14.3 points and 12.6 rebounds in February and has also been a formidable shot blocker with 2.4 blocks per game. Wade is averaging 16.3 points in February, while Deng is scoring 15.3 per game.
How well Dragic directs the offense will be crucial at Orlando. The Magic have tightened up their defense, allowing just 88.3 points per game in their last three (all wins).
The total has gone over in Miami’s last five games.
Does the insertion of Dragic make the Heat a championship contender? Create a betting account now and make your picks as the NBA season turns up the pressure.
Betting on the Orlando Magic
Orlando’s chances of making the playoffs may be slim to none, but they can still act as spoilers to those still chasing a spot in the postseason. The Magic have won the first three of their current four-game home stand due to some excellent play from Nikola Vucevic and Victor Oladipo.
Vucevic has put up three straight double-doubles in the current home stand, averaging 25.7 points and 15 rebounds. Meanwhile, Oladipo has averaged 19.3 points.
While the Heat rank fourth in the league in scoring defense (96.8 points per game), the Magic duo may be able to have another explosive outing. Miami has allowed shooting guards and centers to score in double digits over the past three games. Vucevic is averaging 29.5 points and 13 rebounds in two games against Miami this season, while Oladipo is averaging 19 points.
For the Magic to hit their shots against Miami, they’ll need Elfrid Payton to continue doing a fine job running point. He’s averaged 7.3 assists per game in the home stand, and has also contributed on the boards with 6.7 per game. Finding the open man will be crucial for Payton, especially within the arc. Miami has allowed opponents to sink in 53.5 percent of unchallenged two-point shots, 22nd in the league.
Orlando has won four of its last five at home, going 3-1-1 against the spread.
Writer’s Prediction
Miami (-2.5) turns up the heat as they take a big win at Orlando.
