posted January 2, 2009 at 13:00 EST in NBA Free Picks
NBA Odds Heat @ Magic

The Miami Heat (17-13 SU, 13-15-2 ATS, 14-16 O/U) bounced back nicely from their 93-86 road loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday, beating the same Cavaliers 104-95 on Tuesday in their home-and-home series.
"It's a long season. We've still got a couple tough teams coming in," Haslem said. "But obviously, one thing you do want to do throughout the season is take care of home."
Miami got 21 points apiece from Dwyane Wade and Mario Chalmers while three other players also reached double figures in scoring to ruin Cavaliers’ superstar LeBron James’ 24th birthday.
"We weren't into a nice birthday present this time around for LeBron," Wade said. "He got one the other night in Cleveland."
The Orlando Magic (25-7 SU, 21-10-1 ATS, 14-18 O/U) also bounced back from a loss in their previous outing to lay an emphatic 113-94 loss on the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday.
Rashard Lewis scored 21 points to lead seven Orlando players in double figures while the team shot a solid 49.4 percent from the field.
"Especially in the first half, I felt like I wasn't going to miss a shot," Lewis said. "When I missed one, I was more surprised than anything."
"He's been leading our team in scoring almost all this month," Dwight Howard said. "He and Jameer (Nelson) are the reasons why we've been winning a lot of games."
Here is a look at tonight’s key trends, followed by my in-depth analysis and NBA Free Pick.
The Heat are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games vs. a team with a winning S.U. record.
The Heat are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games vs. a team with a winning percentage above .600.
The Magic are 8-0 ATS in their last 8 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
The Magic are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 home games.
The Under is 6-0 in Heat last 6 road games vs. a team with a home winning percentage of greater than .600.
The Under is 5-1 in Magic last 6 home games.
The Favorite is 5-2-1 ATS in the last 8 meetings.
The Heat are 1-4-1 ATS in the last 6 meetings in Orlando.
The Heat are 1-7-1 ATS in the last 9 meetings.
Miami Heat +8½ -110
Orlando Magic -8½ -110
Over 188 -110
Under 188 -110
Analysis: While the Miami Heat have been fantastic at home this season, D-Wade’s team has gone an un inspiring 6-8 on the road this season and will fall to the Magic in this matchup as well.
I think it’s going to be close, but I like the Magic to cover the spread narrowly.
NBA Free Picks: Orlando -8½ Points/Over 188 Total Points



