Battle of the Southeast Division: The First-Place Miami visiting Orlando
Wednesday, February 08, 2012
Frank Martin
The Orlando Magic are 0-1 on a three-game homstand that was supposed to give the team a clearer picture of where it was headed this season. The Magic made a spirited comeback on Monday but fell short, 107-102, after forcing overtime against the Los Angeles Clippers.
Next up is the battle of the Southeast Division, with the first-place Miami Heat visiting on Wednesday and the second-place Atlanta Hawks on tap for Friday. “(The Heat) are one of those teams that we’re gonna have to get through if we’re gonna be successful, “ Magic forward Ryan Anderson told the Orlando Sentinel.
“We definitely want to come in and get a win.” Miami enters Wednesday’s contest winners of three straight and eight of nine. The Heat have struggled at times on the road, however, posting a 7-4 mark against 12-2 at home. Orlando represents the first stop on a six-game trip that will take Miami through fellow Eastern Conference contenders Indiana and Atlanta.
- Miami Heat @ Orlando Magic
When: 7:00 PM ET, Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Where: Amway Center, Orlando, Florida
TV: 7 p.m. ET, SUN (Miami), FSFL (Orlando)
The Heat have opened as 3.5-point favorites on SBG Global Sportsbook’s Live NBA Basketball Odds.
Miami Heat (19-6): Miami will play its next five games in seven nights, making it a total of six in eight days after a 107-91 dismantling of the Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday. The Heat are 4-3 on the second night of back-to-back games so far this season. Miami was forced to use LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh for over 35 minutes each on Tuesday with the game close until the fourth quarter. James has played at least 35 minutes in 11 of the last 12 games.
Orlando Magic (15-10): Dwight Howard continues to hold the organization hostage with his trade request, though Orlando has shown no sign that it is actively shopping its superstar. Howard has not let his discomfort impact his play, averaging 25.5 points and 14 rebounds in the last four games. The first three of those led to wins, but not even 33 and 14 from Howard could overcome the breakdowns in perimeter defense that allowed the Clippers to take over.
1. The teams split four meetings last season, with each winning once on the road.
2. Wade has shot 52 percent from the floor over the last five games.
3. Howard averaged 18.5 points and 14.8 rebounds in the four games against Miami in 2010-11.
NBA BASKETBALL PREDICTION: Heat 97, Magic 93
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