Heat at Magic 10/18/17 - NBA Picks & Predictions

by Jim

Latest Odds : MIA -3 Total 205.5

Miami may be without Dwayne Wade, but many view the Heat as a team that could still return to the playoffs under the guidance of head coach Erik Spoelstra. He's put together some good teams in the post-LeBron James era in Miami and has a growing reputation as one of the best tacticians in the NBA.

Veteran point guard Goran Dragic quietly had an impressive scoring season last year. For the first time since the 13-14 season in Phoenix, he averaged better than 20 points per game at 20.3. He also dished out 5.8 assists per game and had a field goal percentage of .475.

The Heat drafted a first-round project in center Bam Adebayo. The 20 year old out of Kentucky has great raw skills and size. He's gone for 13 and 15 points in the last two preseason games and could join Hassan Whiteside to form one of the deepest center rotations in the NBA.


Orlando was terrible down the stretch last season en route to just 29 wins. The reward was draft pick Jonathan Isaac, a forward out of Florida State. He's been averaging around 20 minutes per game in the preseason and shouldn't be expected to play a huge role right away.

Center and 7-footer Nikola Vucevic out of Switzerland averaged a double-double last season with 14.6 points and 10.4 rebounds per game. Without a lot of offensive support in Orlando, it was his weakest NBA season in terms of field goal percentage.


Recent Betting Trends:
Heat are 14-2 ATS in their last 16 Wednesday games.
Magic are 12-26-1 ATS in their last 39 home games.
Over is 4-1 in Heat last 5 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.
Over is 3-1-1 in Magic last 5 games following a ATS loss.


Free Betting Pick: Miami Heat -3


Last year when healthy this Miami team was very good and think Heat pick up right where they left off. Heat biggest key in off-season was keeping Dion Waiters as free agent and he will prove why in big opening night. Magic are just no match for talented Heat team - Final Score Prediction, Miami Heat win and cover ATS 105-96.