Orlando Magic vs. Miami Heat (Jan. 3, 2020): How To Watch, Odds and Prediction
The Orlando Magic try to find their way without Jonathan Isaac in the lineup and hope to be a little healthier ahead of their division battle with the Miami Heat.
Miami Heat (25-9) vs. Orlando Magic (15-19)
Time/TV:
7 p.m./FOX Sports Florida
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2020 Season Series:
Tonight in Orlando; Jan. 27 in Miami; Feb. 1 in Orlando; March 4 in Miami
| Pace | Off. Rtg. | Def. Rtg. | eFG% | O.Reb.% | TO% | FTR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miami | 99.3 | 110.1 | 106.3 | 54.3 | 28.0 | 16.3 | 31.4 |
| Orlando | 98.7 | 104.6 | 106.2 | 49.0 | 26.5 | 12.9 | 24.9 |
OMD Prediction
The Orlando Magic will likely need a few games to get their footing again after losing Jonathan Isaac from the lineup. This roster was not built to sustain the losses of all three of Aaron Gordon, Jonathan Isaac and Al-Farouq Aminu. That was a tough spot Wednesday against the Washington Wizards. But a focused effort on both ends helped the Magic get the win. They will need that focused effort again. And probably Aaron Gordon back and healthy too. The Magic should play with some energy and some of that focus. But the Heat are also focused after a tough loss to the Washington Wizards. This team should still be fired up and attentive.
38. Prediction. 102. 110. 95
1) Jonathan Isaac is out indefinitely with a knee injury suffered in the leary moment of Wednesday’s win over the Washington Wizards. The Orlando Magic will re-evaluate Isaac in 8-10 weeks.
2) The Orlando Magic are still a playoff team despite Jonathan Isaac’s absence. It still deals a major blow to their hopes, Josh Robbins of The Athletic writes.
3) The Miami Heat got the improved defensive effort they were seeking in a grimy 84-76 win over the Toronto Raptors. The Heat came out with tremendous focus following a surprising loss to the Washington Wizards on Monday. The Heat are now 2-0 against the Raptors this season.
4) The Orlando Magic’s resolve will get tested with Jonathan Isaac out of the lineup.
5) Especially now with the Jonathan Isaac injury, the Orlando Magic have to remain patient with their rebuild and not rush their decisions or timeline, Omar Cabrera writes.
6) Injuries are at the root of the Orlando Magic’s slow start.
7) The Miami Heat oddly have been fairly effective even when Jimmy Butler is unable to hit a shot, Andre Fernandez of The Athletic writes.
8) The transaction clock starts to tick this weekend with 10-day contracts available to use and other major contract deadlines coming up, John Hollinger of The Athletic writes.
9) The Miami Heat have made a living unearthing undrafted talent from the G-League and Summer league, Brian Windhorst of ESPN.com writes.
10) The Orlando Magic open a four-game homestand against the rival Miami Heat, playing the first of four matchups between the two teams, Roy parry of the Orlando Sentinel writes.
11) The Orlando Magic’s bench has been a bit of a crap shoot all year.
12) Kendrick Nunn earned his second Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month award as he continues to impress with his scoring exploits.
13) Spencer Henderson lists his New Year’s Resolutions for the Orlando Magic.
14) Dwight Howard defined the 2010s decade for the Orlando Magic, even in his absence.