Orlando Magic vs. Miami Heat (Dec. 17, 2021): 3 Things To Watch, Odds and Prediction
The Orlando Magic are dealing with a small COVID outbreak in their ranks and may not have enough players to take on the Miami Heat tonight.
Orlando Magic (5-24) vs. Miami Heat (17-12)
Time/TV: 7 p.m./Bally Sports Florida
WATCH MAGIC-HEAT ON FUBO TV
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Line via WynnBet: Heat by 7.5
Tickets: $50-$1,035 on StubHub
2022 Season Series: Heat 107, Magic 90 in Miami on Oct. 25; Tonight in Orlando; Dec. 26 in Miami; April 10 in Orlando
| Pace | Off. Rtg. | Def. Rtg. | eFG% | O.Reb.% | TO% | FTR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miami | 96.3 | 110.2 | 107.0 | 53.7 | 28.5 | 15.4 | 23.1 |
| Orlando | 99.0 | 102.4 | 112.8 | 49.1 | 27.2 | 15.6 | 22.3 |
OMD Prediction
It might be easier at this point to list who is playing in this game as opposed to who is out. The Miami Heat are dealing with a rash of injuries that has claimed Jimmy Butler (tailbone contusion) and Bam Adebayo (torn UCL in his thumb). Tyler Herro is questionable too with a right quadriceps contusion.
The Orlando Magic have upped the ante with injuries. Not only are Cole Anthony (right ankle sprain), Gary Harris (left hamstring tightness) and Mo Bamba (right ankle sprain) questionable for the game, but four players are now in health and safety protocols. Ignas Brazdeikis, R.J. Hampton, Terrence Ross and Moritz Wagner will all miss Friday’s game and are likely out for the time being.
The immediate effect of all this: The Magic need all their questionable players to play just to meet the eight-player minimum to play.
What looked like it might be a chance to win against an undermanned and determined Heat team now seems like it will be a fight for survival for a team that is undermanned, hurting and just trying to keep its head above water.
I think everyone could forgive the Magic if they continue to struggle and this losing streak continues.
110. 92. 38. Prediction. 107
3 Keys To Watch
3-point defense
The Miami Heat are pretty clear in what they are trying to do each game.
They want to get down and defend with physicality and intensity. And they want to shoot and make 3-pointers. With their roster right now, their shooting is about the only major weapon they have as a hub around Kyle Lowry.
Miami is currently ninth in the league shooting 36.2-percent from beyond the arc and 16th in attempts at 35.4 per game. Miami has some really good shooters in Duncan Robinson and Tyler Herro that the team will need to worry about.
The Magic’s 3-point defense has not been solid this season. Orlando is giving up 36.5-percent shooting from deep (26th in the league) and 37.1 attempts per game (11th most in the league). The Magic have had their issues fanning out to the 3-point line this year. And that will be a huge key against a good-shooting Heat team.
Injuries
Again, injuries are the story for this game.
A total of 19 players are listed on the injury report this afternoon. Seven of them are from the Heat. Tyler Herro and Omer Yurtseven are both questionable. All-Stars Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo are out with various injuries.
Butler is a bit more management of a tailbone issue that has bothered him for a while. Bam Adebayo is out after having surgery on his thumb for an injury similar to the one Jalen Suggs has.
The Magic have been hit hard with the injury bug, to begin with. They have five players who have been out with long-term injuries. Then there were minor knocks that have slowed down Cole Anthony, Mo Bamba and Gary Harris this week.
Bamba sprained his ankle against the Los Angeles Lakers and was all set to play until he was a late scratch Wednesday. Harris warmed up before Wednesday’s game but became a late scratch. And Anthony seemed to tweak his ankle during Wednesday’s game.
Then came the news today that four players — Ignas Brazdeikis, R.J. Hampton, Terrence Ross and Moritz Wagner — have entered health and safety protocols. The Magic need all three of their questionable players to play — which is certainly possible — if they are going to be able to field a team.
Unless they just dress Markelle Fultz (still listed as OUT, by the way) just so they have eight “active” players. It is going to be hard to evaluate anything besides the team’s fight for a little while.
Pace increase
Orlando Magic coach Jamahl Mosley talked about three things for his team’s offense: space, pace and play with the pass. We have tried to track all three in various ways throughout the season as best we can. Pace is certainly one of the harder things to track — or even define.
In one way though, the Magic are starting to play faster.
Orlando has climbed to 13th in the league in pace with 99.0 possessions per 48 minutes. Part of that is the team went out West where nine of the top 13 teams in pace play. Part of that is the Magic have been turning the ball over a whole lot more, increasing the number of possessions in a game.
Greg Anthony gives important perspective on Orlando Magic's growth. dark. Next
The question then is whether the team is truly playing at the pace the team wants to play or whether the team is getting sped up unnecessarily. The Magic certainly want to be the ones in control. But that has been increasingly difficult for this young team to do.