Miami Heat at Orlando Magic NBA Picks & Predictions 10/7/2017

Saturday, October 7, 2017

Amway Center

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Miami Heat travel to Amway Center to play the Orlando Magic on Saturday, October 7, 2017. The opening line for this matchup has Miami as 5 point favorites.

The Heat come into this game after finishing last season with an overall record of 41-41. They were 3rd in the Southeast Division. They had a point differential of 1.1 as they averaged 103.2 points per game while giving up 102.1 per contest. The Magic had an overall mark of 29-53 last year. They were 5th in the Southeast Division. They averaged 101.1 points per contest and gave up 107.6, which was a point differential of -6.5.

Valuable Miami Heat Betting Trends

The Miami Heat were 49-33-0 against the spread last season

The Miami Heat were 38-44-0 against the over/under last year

Important Orlando Magic Betting Trends

The Orlando Magic were 32-48-2 against the spread last season

The Orlando Magic were 39-42-1 against the over/under last year

Key Miami Heat Injuries

10/3/2017 A.J. Hammons C Illness Questionable for start of season

Key Orlando Magic Injuries

10/4/2017 Adreian Payne F Hand Expected to be out until at least Jan 1

Player Spotlight

Hassan Whiteside comes into this contest after averaging 17 points per game while playing 32.6 minutes per night last season. He pulled down 14.1 rebounds per game and dished out 0.7 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage was 56% while his free throw percentage finished at 63%. Goran Dragic averaged 20.3 points per game in 33.7 minutes per contest last season. He averaged 5.8 assists per contest and 3.8 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage was 48% for the year while his free throw percentage was 79%.

Player Spotlight

Evan Fournier averaged 17.2 points per game while playing 32.9 minutes per contest last year. He grabbed 3.1 rebounds per game and had 3 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage was 44% and his free throw percentage was at 81%. Nikola Vucevic averaged 14.6 points per game last season and he saw the court an average of 28.8 minutes per contest. He also averaged 10.4 rebounds per contest and 2.8 assists per game. His field goal percentage was 47% and his free throw percentage was 67%.

Useful Team Statistics

Miami averaged 103.2 points per contest last season, which ranked them 22nd in the NBA. Their average scoring margin was 1.06 and their shooting percentage was 46% as a team, which had them ranked 15th. Behind the arc they shot 37% which was good for 12th in the league. They averaged 43.6 rebounds per game and 21.2 assists per game, which ranked them 16th and 22nd in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they ranked 20th with 13.4 per game. The Heat allowed 102.1 points per game to their opponents which ranked them 5th in the league. They also allowed a 45% shooting percentage and a 34% average from behind the arc, ranking them 8th and 4th in those defensive categories. Opponents averaged 43.6 rebounds a game which ranked 15th and they gave up 19.6 assists per contest, which put them in 2nd place in the league. They forced 13.7 turnovers per game which ranked them 12th in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Orlando was 27th in the league with 101.1 points per game last year. They were 29th in the league in shooting at 44%, while their average scoring margin was -6.57. They shot 33% from 3-point range, which was good for 29th in the NBA. They were 19th in the league in rebounding with 43.2 boards per game, and 18th in assists per contest with 22.2. The Magic were 23rd in turnovers per game with 13.3. The Magic surrendered 107.6 points per contest, which ranked them 22nd in the NBA. Their defense allowed a 47% shooting percentage and a 37% average from 3-point range, ranking them 25th and 24th in those defensive statistics. They ranked 23rd with 23.6 assists allowed per contest and 28th with 45.5 rebounds surrendered per game. The Magic were 7th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 13 per game last season.

Advanced Statistics

Miami was 19th in the league in turnovers, as they turned the ball over an average of 12.4 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.6 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year was 50%, which was 27th in the NBA. The Heat were 17th in the league in defensive rating with 106.7, and their offensive rating of 107.8 was ranked 26th. They were 21st in the NBA in pace with 95.2 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 51% was 15th. As a unit they were 20th in the league in true shooting percentage with 54% and they shot 3-pointers on 31% of their shot attempts, ranking 14th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Orlando was 24th in the league in turnovers, as they turned the ball over an average of 12.1 times per 100 possessions while forcing 11.9 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year was 52%, which was 9th in the NBA. The Magic were 29th in the league in defensive rating with 110.5, and their offensive rating of 103.7 was ranked 9th. They were 13th in the NBA in pace with 96.8 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 49% was 29th. As a unit they were 29th in the league in true shooting percentage with 52% and they shot 3-pointers on 30% of their shot attempts, ranking 17th in the NBA.

Who will win tonight's Heat/Magic NBA game against the spread?

Tony's Pick: Take Orlando +5

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