Free NBA Picks and Odds: Orlando Magic at Miami Heat on TNT Expert Predictions – NBA Betting Preview 3/3/11: Center Dwight “Superman” Howard will lead his Orlando Magic on the road to the American Airlines Arena to take on MVP LeBron James and his All Star cast of the Miami Heat on Thursday evening on TNT Sports at 8:00 PM ET for a Southeast Division and instate rival game. The Heat enter the game coming off a loss but have won 7 of their last 10 to get to 43-17 – 1st in the Southeast – but now 1 ½ games behind Boston for the overall lead in the Eastern Conference. The Magic have won 3 consecutive and also 7 of 10 but sit at 39-22 – 2nd in the Southeast – 4 ½ games behind the Heat and currently 4th in the East.
The Heat have struggled against the NBA’s top teams. “We’ve got to figure it out,” said Dwyane Wade, who was limited to 12 points against New York on 5-for-15 shooting. “That’s why we continue to play these games. We continue to build habits. Hopefully, eventually we’ll turn the corner.” The Magic have struggled with playing hard every night. “We’ll be forced to play every night or suffer the consequences if we don’t play well,” coach Stan Van Gundy said. “And I think that’s a good mindset and focus to have – that you have to play very well to get a win. You’re not going to get anything given to you in this stretch.” The odds makers at SBG Global have the Miami Heat a -4 1/2 point favorite at home against the Orlando Magic.
The Heat is coming off a tough loss at home 91-86 to the New York Knicks moving them to 28-31-1 ATS for the season. LeBron led the way with 27 points 7 rebounds and 5 assists while Chris Bosh added 20 points and pulled down 12 boards and 3 assists. Wade added 7 rebounds and 9 assists as well. The Heat have released point guard Carlos Arroyo and replaced him with recently available Mike Bibby in hopes to improve at the position. Vegas odds makers have the Miami Heat at +120 odds win the 2010-2011 NBA Championship.
The Magic are coming off a home victory 116-110 over the New York Knicks moving them to 27-32-2 ATS for the season. Howard powered the Magic with 30 points and pulled down 16 rebounds as well as 3 assists. Point guard Jameer Nelson chipped in 26 points, 3 boards and 4 assists but the bench could well be the biggest contributor with 3 players scoring in double digits. The total has gone OVER in 7 of last 10 games when playing Miami. Vegas odds makers have the over/under NBA odds for the total score at 198 points combined of the Miami Heat and Orlando Magic.
MATCHUP: Orlando (39-22) at Miami (43-17)
GAME TIME: 8:00 PM EST
TELEVISION: TNT
Recent Magic and Heat NBA Betting Odds Trends:
Orlando: Under is 9-2 in ORL last 11 overall.
ORL are 8-3 ATS in their last 11 Thu. games.
Miami: Over is 9-4-1 in MIA last 14 home games.
Head to Head: Over is 7-3 in the last 10 meetings.
ORL are 13-6-1 ATS in the last 20 meetings.
Opening Vegas Early Odds from Las Vegas
Favorite: Miami -5
Total: O/U 198
* These are the Morning Lines at Ceasars Palace in Las Vegas
Rich Fritz’s Magic and Heat Free NBA Picks 3/3:
Play Orlando +5
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