Senior Writer Vegas Matty
The NBA’s battle of Florida will take place in South Beach on Thursday night when the Orlando Magic (39-22) visit the Miami Heat (43-17) in a nationally televised Southeast Division matchup. The Magic hosted the first two meetings between the teams, splitting the pair with the Heat (-5).
Orlando was able to accomplish something Miami could not in beating New York 116-110 on Tuesday. The Magic allowed Chauncey Billups, Carmelo Anthony and Amare Stoudemire to score 85 points for the Knicks, but limited everybody else and took advantage of the team defensively. Magic point guard Jameer Nelson was able to burn Billups in the second half, scoring 23 of his 26 points after the intermission while Dwight Howard scored a team-high 30 points and grabbed a game-high 16 rebounds.
New York had led 58-47 at halftime after outscoring Orlando 37-15 in the second quarter. The Knicks used a similar run in the second quarter on Sunday at Miami, outscoring the Heat 29-17 in an eventual 91-86 victory. Miami lost for the second time in three games in similar fashion and has struggled in low-scoring games. The Heat are 1-3 straight-up and 0-4 against the spread in their last four games that have gone UNDER the total and 1-7 ATS in their past eight under that scenario.
Miami has simply struggled in close-game situations, going 5-11 in those decided by five points or less. The Heat figured to have a number of high-profile closers who can make big shots down the stretch in LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Mike Miller and Eddie House, but they have often looked lost when the game is on the line in the final minutes. They have also added another strong game finisher in point guard Mike Bibby, who signed with the team on Wednesday.
Bibby was averaging just 9.1 points and 3.6 assists with Atlanta before he was dealt to Washington for Kirk Hinrich, but he has averaged 15.4 points and 5.7 assists in 940 career regular-season games. He played two games for the Wizards and was so unhappy with the situation that he agreed to a contract buyout with Washington that made him a free agent. Signing with Miami seemed like a no-brainer for the 13-year veteran, who chose another shot at a championship over the $6.2 million he would have made with the Wizards.
If nothing else, Bibby should help the team’s offense by providing yet another scoring option. That would certainly be welcome here, as both earlier meetings between the Heat and Magic went OVER the total, and Miami would like to see that trend continue. The Heat have won 10 straight games when the OVER cashes, going 8-2 ATS.
Top expert pick on today’s card: A March Madness betting flash alert has been issued due to the fact the top long-term winning percentage sports service is on a volcanic recent tear. Stevie Vincent is the King of Offshore because of winning at a sustained rate never before seen in sports betting. He is 6-1 the last two nights with all selections.
Thursday’s portfolio includes considerable moneyed investments in collegiate hardwood action. Get a game side and over/under from the groundbreaking tipster. Click now to purchase