Paolo Banchero and the Orlando Magic will be in Miami on Tuesday to face Jimmy Butler and the Miami Heat as the race for first place in the Southeast Division heats up, and we have you covered with our best bet for this matchup using the latest NBA odds.
This will be the fourth and final meeting between the Orlando Magic and the Miami Heat, holding quite a bit of significance when it comes to a divisional tiebreaker. The Heat lead the season series 2-1, but the Magic can tie it with a win on Tuesday, shifting the potential tiebreaker to divisonal record.
With the Magic looking to increase their lead in the standings for the division, my focus will be on one of the Heat's best players in my free NBA picks for the Magic vs. Heat on February 6.
Magic vs Heat odds
Magic vs Heat predictions
This will be the fourth meeting of the season between the Magic and the Heat, but only the second one in which Jimmy Butler will participate. Butler missed the first two games with an injury but played when these two teams met on January 21.
In that matchup on January 21, it was tough for Butler, who scored only 15 points along with two assists, and the Magic won by a score of 105-87.
Butler, a physical swingman who has no problem finishing around the rim or posting up opponents, witnessed the Magic countering his offensive style by assigning Paolo Banchero as his primary defender. If the Heat managed to generate a switch and get the smaller Jalen Suggs on Butler, the Magic sent a double team the moment Butler went down in the post.
There isn't much the Heat can do to generate switches for Butler and create a scoring advantage, as the Magic can field a lineup of four players who are 6'10 at the same time. Jamahl Mosley couldn't even unleash his greatest weapon in the fourth quarter against Butler, Jonathan Isaac, because the game was a blowout, and Butler sat out.
All that being said, while I believe that Butler will have a tough time scoring, it doesn't mean he can't create for his teammates. When the Heat and Butler review the film of how they lost by 18 points, the emphasis coming into this game should be on Butler being used as a facilitator on offense against the Magic.
If the total were set at 5.5 for Butler, I'd be wary about using this angle, but Butler is trading at 3.5 (-125) on Tuesday against the Magic. This is a low total in general for Butler, who usually trades at 4.5 and even 5.5, especially when talking about a defense that can force him to create offense instead of scoring.
Butler is projected to have 4.4 assists on Tuesday against the Magic, allowing us to price the Over 3.5 assists at -162, but it is available at bet365 at -125.
My best bet: Jimmy Butler Over 3.5 assists (-125 at bet365)
Magic vs Heat same-game parlay
Jimmy Butler Over 3.5 assists
Jimmy Butler Over 0.5 threes made
Terry Rozier Over 1.5 threes made
Butler Over 3.5 assists is my best bet because the Magic possess a defense that can really neutralize his offensive game around the rim and turn him more into a facilitator. However, that doesn't mean I think Butler won't score any points.
In fact, I believe it will lead to Butler attempting more threes than usual because a pull-up 3-pointer for Butler will be a better shot than a contested drive on Banchero. When these teams met on January 21, Butler attempted five 3-pointers, significantly higher than his season average of 2.2 per game.
Butler should be looking to drive the lane and kick out to the Heat shooters against the Magic. With Tyler Herro battling migraines, I'm going to roll with Terry Rozier Over 1.5 threes made to pair with the Butler assists prop. Rozier could also see extended minutes and higher usage if Herro misses a second straight game.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
Best NBA bonuses for Magic vs Heat
New Users
33% boost for one NBA bet
e.g. +105 BOOSTS to +136! Claim Now
All Users
Adebayo/Herro 20+ points each
+390 BOOSTS to +500! Claim Now
All Users
Instant payout for NBA moneylines
If your team goes up by 20! Claim Now
21+. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER
Magic vs Heat spread and Over/Under analysis
The Heat opened as 4-point favorites at FanDuel, but we have since seen that line drop down to Heat -3. FanDuel is currently the only sportsbook that has made such a move, as the rest of the market is comfortably sitting at Heat -3.5. So, make sure to shop around before hitting the button on a side for this matchup.
The total opened at 213.5 at DraftKings and has dropped by half a point to 213. Similar to the spread, FanDuel is running a bit rogue with their pricing for this game, as they have the total sitting at 212. The rest of the market is much more in line with what DraftKings is trading the total at, which is 213.
Covers community NBA picks
Magic vs Heat betting trend to know
The Miami Heat have hit the moneyline in 44 of their last 80 games (+17.50 Units / 14% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Magic vs. Heat.
Not intended for use in MA.
Affiliate Disclosure: Covers may receive advertising commissions for visits to a sportsbook or betting site.
Magic vs Heat game info
| Location: | Kaseya Center, Miami, FL |
| Date: | Tuesday, February 6, 2024 |
| Tip-off: | 7:30 p.m. ET |
| TV: | Bally Sports Sun, Bally Sports Florida |
Covers NBA betting tools
Magic vs Heat latest injuries
Stay updated with the latest picks, odds, and news! Tap the 
to add us to your favorites on Google News to never miss a story.
