Through 2 Quarters
The Miami Heat were expected to win this one, and so far that’s exactly how it’s playing out. They have emerged as the frontrunner at halftime and are ahead of the Orlando Magic 66-57.
Shooting guard Max Strus has led the way so far for Miami, as he has shot 6-for-7 from beyond the arc and has recorded 23 points and four rebounds. Those points put Strus near his season high of 25.
Orlando has enjoyed the tag-team combination of power forward Chuma Okeke and small forward Franz Wagner. The former has 12 points and three assists along with four steals and three boards, while the latter has 17 points in addition to three rebounds.
Who’s Playing
Miami @ Orlando
Current Records: Miami 17-12; Orlando 5-24
What to Know
The Orlando Magic haven’t won a game against the Miami Heat since Dec. 23 of last year, but they’ll be looking to end the drought Friday. Orlando and Miami will face off in a Southeast Division battle at 7 p.m. ET at Amway Center. The Heat will be strutting in after a win while the Magic will be stumbling in from a defeat.
The contest between Orlando and the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday was not a total blowout, but with Orlando falling 111-99 at home, it was darn close to turning into one. Orlando was down 93-73 at the end of the third quarter, which was just too much to recover from. Point guard Cole Anthony had a rough night: he played for 34 minutes but put up just seven points on 3-for-14 shooting and four turnovers.
Meanwhile, Miami didn’t have too much breathing room in their matchup with the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday, but they still walked away with a 101-96 victory. Point guard Gabe Vincent (26 points) was the top scorer for the Heat.
The Magic are expected to lose this next one by 9. Their home court has been no bettor’s paradise, as they’ve failed to beat the spread in eight of their 11 home games.
Orlando is now 5-24 while Miami sits at 17-12. A pair of stats to keep an eye on: Orlando is stumbling into the game with the third fewest points per game in the league, having accrued only 101.3 on average. Miami’s defense has more to brag about, as they they rank third in the league when it comes to points allowed per game, with only 103.8 on average. The Magic might struggle to break 100.
How To Watch
- When: Friday at 7 p.m. ET
- Where: Amway Center — Orlando, Florida
- TV: Bally Sports Florida
- Online streaming: fuboTV (Try for free. Regional restrictions may apply.)
- Follow: CBS Sports App
- Ticket Cost: $35.00
Odds
The Heat are a big 9-point favorite against the Magic, according to the latest NBA odds.
The line on this game has moved quite a bit since it opened, as it started out with the Heat as a 3.5-point favorite.
Over/Under: -110
See NBA picks for every single game, including this one, from SportsLine’s advanced computer model. Get picks now.
Series History
Miami have won 13 out of their last 24 games against Orlando.
- Oct 25, 2021 – Miami 107 vs. Orlando 90
- Mar 14, 2021 – Miami 102 vs. Orlando 97
- Mar 11, 2021 – Miami 111 vs. Orlando 103
- Dec 23, 2020 – Orlando 113 vs. Miami 107
- Mar 04, 2020 – Miami 116 vs. Orlando 113
- Feb 01, 2020 – Miami 102 vs. Orlando 89
- Jan 27, 2020 – Miami 113 vs. Orlando 92
- Jan 03, 2020 – Orlando 105 vs. Miami 85
- Mar 26, 2019 – Orlando 104 vs. Miami 99
- Dec 23, 2018 – Miami 115 vs. Orlando 91
- Dec 04, 2018 – Orlando 105 vs. Miami 90
- Oct 17, 2018 – Orlando 104 vs. Miami 101
- Feb 05, 2018 – Orlando 111 vs. Miami 109
- Dec 30, 2017 – Miami 117 vs. Orlando 111
- Dec 26, 2017 – Miami 107 vs. Orlando 89
- Oct 18, 2017 – Orlando 116 vs. Miami 109
- Mar 03, 2017 – Orlando 110 vs. Miami 99
- Feb 13, 2017 – Orlando 116 vs. Miami 107
- Dec 20, 2016 – Orlando 136 vs. Miami 130
- Oct 26, 2016 – Miami 108 vs. Orlando 96
- Apr 10, 2016 – Miami 118 vs. Orlando 96
- Apr 08, 2016 – Orlando 112 vs. Miami 109
- Mar 25, 2016 – Miami 108 vs. Orlando 97
- Dec 26, 2015 – Miami 108 vs. Orlando 101
Injury Report for Orlando
- E’Twaun Moore: Out (Knee)
- Michael Carter-Williams: Out (Ankle)
- Cole Anthony: Out (Ankle)
- Moe Wagner: Out (Covid-19)
- Mo Bamba: Out (Ankle)
- Terrence Ross: Out (Covid-19)
- Iggy Brazdeikis: Out (Covid-19)
- R.J. Hampton: Out (Covid-19)
- Markelle Fultz: Out (Knee)
- Jalen Suggs: Out (Thumb)
- Jonathan Isaac: Out (Knee)
Injury Report for Miami
- Tyler Herro: Game-Time Decision (Quadriceps)
- Markieff Morris: Out (Neck)
- Jimmy Butler: Out (Back)
- Caleb Martin: Out (Covid-19)
- Bam Adebayo: Out (Thumb)
- Victor Oladipo: Out (Quadriceps)
