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The Orlando Magic and Miami Heat meet to open their 2024-25 seasons Wednesday. Tip-off from Kaseya Center is set for 7:30 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NBA odds around the Magic vs. Heat odds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: First meeting; Heat won 3-1 last season
Orlando comes in after performing well above expectations last season and adding veteran G Kentavious Caldwell-Pope in free agency. The Magic are also moving Jalen Suggs over to play the point guard position full time, a move that fans are eager to see. The star duo of F Paolo Banchero and F Franz Wagner has a lot of expectations entering this season.
Miami is looking at the 2024-25 season optimistically after disappointing largely due to injury last season. Fans are optimistic about C Bam Adebayo increasing his offensive role, especially after his play during the Olympics, and about the expected progression of F Jaime Jacquez. A lot of pressure is on the shoulders of F Jimmy Butler to stay healthy and perform well during this regular season before he enters free agency next offseason.
Magic at Heat odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list of NBA odds. Lines last updated Tuesday at 11:02 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Magic +105 (bet $100 to win $105) | Heat -130 (bet $130 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Magic +1.5 (-105) | Heat -1.5 (-115)
- Over/Under (O/U): 208.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Magic at Heat key injuries
Magic
- None
Heat
- G Josh Richardson (heel) out
For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.
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Magic at Heat picks and predictions
Prediction
Magic 104, Heat 101
Moneyline
BET MAGIC (+105).
Orlando is the slightly better team than Miami as things stand, and while I do expect some growing pains with Suggs being moved to full-time point guard, those pains will be alleviated because of the playmaking prowess of Banchero. I also expect the 3-point shooting of Wagner to be better than it was last year, which will help Orlando’s offense enough to pick up the win and cover here.
Against the spread
PASS.
I like the Magic to pick up the win, but I am not a fan of doubling down on a team’s ML and run line bets. I recommend betting on the plus-money moneyline, but if you are okay with doubling down and need a little insurance then you can divvy up units between here and the ML.
Over/Under
BET UNDER 208.5 (-110).
Both teams are outstanding defensively, and with both teams healthy to start the season, those defenses will be on full display. I also expect that Orlando’s defense will be better with KCP now on the roster, and I do not see either offense being potent enough to make the Over a real possibility.
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