Miami Heat at Orlando Magic NBA Picks & Predictions 10/17/2018

Wednesday, October 17, 2018

Amway Center

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Miami Heat head to Amway Center to take on the Orlando Magic on Wednesday, October 17, 2018. The opening line for this game has Miami as 2 point favorites.

The Heat come into this game after finishing last season with an overall record of 44-38. They were 1st in the Southeast Division. They had a point differential of 0.5 as they averaged 103.4 points per game while giving up 102.9 per contest. The Magic had an overall record of 25-57 last season. They were 4th in the Southeast Division. They averaged 103.4 points per game and surrendered 108.2, good for a point differential of -4.8.

Valuable Miami Heat Betting Trends

The Miami Heat were 42-41-4 against the spread last season

The Miami Heat were 39-45-0 against the over/under last year

Important Orlando Magic Betting Trends

The Orlando Magic were 36-44-2 against the spread last season

The Orlando Magic were 34-48-0 against the over/under last year

Key Miami Heat Injuries

10/11/18 G Dion Waiters Ankle is out indefinitely
10/11/18 G Goran Dragic Knee is probable Wednesday vs Orlando
10/11/18 F James Johnson Hernia is questionable Wednesday vs Orlando

Key Orlando Magic Injuries

10/11/18 G Terrence Ross Undisclosed is questionable Wednesday vs Miami

Player Spotlight

Goran Dragic comes into this game after averaging 17.3 points per contest while playing 31.7 minutes per night last year. He grabbed 4.1 rebounds per contest and distributed 4.8 assists per game. His FG percentage was 45% while his free throw percentage was 80%. Hassan Whiteside averaged 14.0 points per contest in 25.3 minutes per game last year. He averaged 1.0 assists per game and 11.4 rebounds per contest. His field goal percentage was 54% for the season while his free throw percentage was 70%.

Player Spotlight

Nikola Vucevic scored 16.5 points per contest while playing 29.5 minutes per game last season. He hauled in 9.2 rebounds per contest and had 3.4 assists per game on the season. His FG percentage was 48% and his free throw percentage finished at 82%. Aaron Gordon averaged 17.6 points per game last year and he saw the court an average of 32.9 minutes per game. He also brought in 7.9 rebounds per game and had 2.3 assists per contest. His field goal percentage was 43% and his free throw percentage was 70%.

Useful Team Statistics

Miami averaged 103.4 points per contest last year, which was 23rd in the league. Their average scoring margin was 0.5 and their shooting percentage was 46% as a unit, which had them ranked 17th. From 3-point territory they shot 36%, which was good for 15th in the NBA. They averaged 43.5 boards per contest and 22.7 assists per game, which ranked them 18th and 17th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they were 15th with 14.4 per game. The Heat allowed 102.9 points per contest, which was 4th in the NBA. They also surrendered a 45% shooting percentage and a 36% average from 3-point range, ranking them 7th and 13th in defensive field goal percentage. Opponents averaged 43.1 rebounds a game which ranked 15th, and they allowed 21.0 assists per game which put them in 3rd place in the league. They forced 14.1 turnovers per game which ranked them 13th in the NBA.

Useful Team Statistics

Orlando was 24th in the NBA with 103.4 points per contest last season. They were 19th in the league in shooting at 45%, while their average scoring margin was -4.82. They shot 35% from beyond the arc, which was good for 28th in the league. They were 26th in the NBA in rebounding with 41.6 boards per contest and 11th in assists per game with 23.4. The Magic were 14th in turnovers per contest with 14.5. The Magic gave up 108.2 points per game, which ranked them 21st in the league. Their defense surrendered a 47% shooting percentage and a 36% average from behind the 3-point line, ranking them 20th and 14th in those defensive statistics. They ranked 23rd with 24.4 dimes allowed per game and 28th with 45.9 boards surrendered per contest. The Magic were 14th in the league in forcing turnovers with 14.2 per contest last year.

Advanced Statistics

The Heat were 22nd in the NBA in offensive rating with 106.8, and their defensive rating of 106.3 was ranked 7th last season. In terms of pace they were 26th in the league with 95.6 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 52% was 14th. As a team they were 16th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 55% and they shot 3 pointers on 36% of their shots, ranking 7th in the league. Miami was 11th in turnovers, as they turned the ball over an average of 13.3 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.1 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season was 51%, which was 23rd in the league.

Advanced Statistics

Orlando was 13th in the league in turnovers, as they turned the ball over an average of 13.3 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.8 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year was 53%, which was 13th in the NBA. The Magic were 25th in the league in defensive rating with 110.1, and their offensive rating of 105.2 was ranked 19th. They were 11th in the NBA in pace with 98.1 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 51% was 21st. As a unit they were 22nd in the league in true shooting percentage with 55% and they shot 3-pointers on 34% of their shot attempts, ranking 14th in the NBA.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Miami -2

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here

Read more articles by Josh Schonwald