The Florida basketball rivalry heats up once again as the Miami Heat travel south to face the Orlando Magic in a Southeast Division clash at the Kia Center. With Miami holding a slim edge in the standings and both teams nursing recent losses, this matchup could serve as a pivotal early-season pivot. The Heat’s explosive offense, led by Norman Powell’s scoring surge, meets Orlando’s stout defense anchored by Franz Wagner’s versatility. Expect a gritty battle where rebounding and three-point shooting could decide the outcome, especially with key injuries forcing both sides to lean on depth. This is the second of four regular-season meetings, following Orlando’s 125-121 season-opening victory, and it doubles as a preview for their NBA Cup quarterfinal rematch on December 9.
Venue and Game Details
Location: Kia Center, Orlando, Florida (home of the Orlando Magic; capacity: 18,846). The modern arena, opened in 2010, has been a fortress for the Magic, who boast a 7-3 home record this season. It’s hosted intense Florida derbies, including Orlando’s 125-121 opener win over Miami.
Tipoff: 7:00 p.m. ET (4:00 p.m. PT)
Broadcast: FanDuel Sports Network Florida (Magic local), FanDuel Sports Network Sun (Heat local), NBA TV (national). Streaming available on NBA League Pass and Fubo.
Both teams enter on the second night of back-to-backs after Wednesday losses, with Miami flying in from Dallas and Orlando hosting a quick turnaround from San Antonio.
Team Records
| Team | Overall Record | Home/Away Split | Conference Standing | Recent Streak |
| Miami Heat | 14-8 (.636) | 10-2 home / 4-6 away | 4th in Eastern Conference (3.0 GB behind DET) | L1 (after 7-2 stretch in last 9) |
| Orlando Magic | 13-9 (.591) | 7-3 home / 6-6 away | 5th in Eastern Conference (4.0 GB behind DET) | L1 (7-3 in last 10, including 4-1 in last 5) |
Miami ranks second in NBA scoring (123.6 PPG) but 22nd in defense (118.4 allowed). Orlando sits seventh in scoring (119.2 PPG) and 10th in defense (114.3 allowed), with a league-best rebounding margin (+3.1).
Recent Team Forms
The Heat have been a rollercoaster, blending high-octane wins with defensive breakdowns. They exploded for 140 points in a 140-123 rout of the Clippers on December 1 (24 threes tied franchise record), but faltered in a 118-108 loss to Dallas on December 3, where Kel’el Ware’s 22 points and 10 rebounds couldn’t offset poor perimeter D (Dallas shot 50% FG).
Over the last 5 games (3-2): W 140-123 vs. LAC, L 108-118 at DAL, W 127-117 vs. PHI (Nov. 30), W 115-107 vs. NYK (Nov. 26), L 121-125 at ORL (Oct. 22). Average: 122.2 PPG scored, 118.0 allowed (+4.2 margin). Miami’s pace (106.1, 1st in NBA) fuels their attack, but rebounding woes (28th in opponent boards allowed) persist.
Orlando has found consistency, winning 7 of their last 10 despite Paolo Banchero’s groin absence. They erased a 15-point deficit for a 125-120 thriller over Chicago on December 1 (Desmond Bane’s 37 points), but fell 114-112 in a heartbreaker to San Antonio on December 3 (Franz Wagner’s 25 points not enough as De’Aaron Fox sealed it late).
Over the last 5 games (4-1): W 125-120 vs. CHI, L 112-114 vs. SAS, W 112-109 vs. BKN (Nov. 28), W 106-102 at PHI (Nov. 26), W 125-121 vs. MIA (Oct. 22). Average: 116.0 PPG scored, 111.2 allowed (+4.8 margin). The Magic’s home defense shines (110.5 allowed at Kia Center), but three-point defense (36.7% opponent, 19th) remains a vulnerability.
Injury Report
Injuries loom large on both sides, with star forwards questionable and backcourt depth tested on short rest. Reports are fluid; check pre-tip updates.
| Team | Player | Status | Injury/Details | Impact |
| Heat | Tyler Herro (G) | Questionable | Right big toe irritation (limited practice; missed prior games) | Key scorer (17.2 PPG); if out, Powell/Wiggins handle creation. Heat 6-4 without him. |
| Heat | Norman Powell (G) | Questionable/Day-to-Day | Left ankle sprain (rolled vs. DAL; game-time decision) | Leading scorer (25.0 PPG, 17th in NBA); 3.2 3PM/game. Massive if sidelined. |
| Heat | Terry Rozier (G) | Out | Not with team (personal; expected back mid-Dec) | Backcourt depth hit; averages 15.8 PPG off bench. |
| Heat | Kasparas Jakucionis (G) / Myron Gardner (G) / Vladislav Goldin (C) | Out | G League assignment | Minimal; developmental players. |
| Magic | Paolo Banchero (F) | Questionable | Left groin strain (missed 10 straight; upgraded from out) | Star forward (21.7 PPG pre-injury); Wagner absorbs load, but spacing suffers (Magic 3PT% drops 2.5% without him). |
| Magic | Moritz Wagner (C) | Out | Knee (ACL rehab; out until Q1 2026) | Bench big (8.2 PPG); Wendell Carter Jr. logs heavy minutes (7.6 RPG). |
| Magic | Colin Castleton (C) / Jamal Cain (F) / Orlando Robinson (C) | Out | G League / Hand (Castleton) | Depth pieces; no major rotation impact. |
No other concerns, but fatigue could amplify foul trouble for Miami’s Ware (10.6 RPG) or Orlando’s Carter Jr.
Key Player Matchups
This intrastate tilt hinges on perimeter battles and frontcourt physicality. Orlando’s length tests Miami’s speed, while the Heat’s three-point volume (37.8%, 5th) exploits Magic gaps.
Norman Powell (MIA) vs. Jalen Suggs (ORL): Powell’s scoring (25.0 PPG, 47.9% FG) vs. Suggs’ on-ball tenacity (1.5 SPG). Suggs limited Powell to 22 in opener. Edge: Powell if healthy.
Bam Adebayo (MIA) vs. Wendell Carter Jr. (ORL): Adebayo’s all-around game (19.5 PPG, 8.8 RPG) vs. Carter’s rim protection (1.2 BPG). Adebayo dominated paint in prior meetings. Edge: Adebayo.
Franz Wagner (ORL) vs. Andrew Wiggins (MIA): Wagner’s versatility (24 PPG in opener) vs. Wiggins’ D (1.1 SPG). Wiggins held Wagner under 20 last season. Edge: Wagner at home.
Tyler Herro (MIA) vs. Anthony Black (ORL): Herro’s shooting (3.0 3PM) vs. Black’s length (emerging defender). If Herro plays, tests Black’s growth. Edge: Herro.
Bench: Jaime Jaquez Jr. (MIA) vs. Desmond Bane (ORL): Jaquez’s energy (16.6 PPG last 10) vs. Bane’s microwave scoring (37 PPG in last two). Depth swings late. Edge: Bane.
Monitor Orlando’s rebounding (45.0 RPG, 10th) vs. Miami’s paint attacks (46.4% of points from rim, top-3).
Series History
The Heat-Magic “Sunshine State Rivalry” dates to 1989, with 143 regular-season meetings. Miami holds the edge overall, but Orlando won the opener and has home cooking.
All-Time Regular Season: Heat lead 81-62 (56.6%). Last 10 RS: Heat 6-4.
All-Time Playoffs: Heat lead 3-2 (single 1997 First Round series; Heat won 3-2).
Overall: Heat 84-64 (56.8%).
Recent: Magic won opener 125-121 (Oct. 22, 2025 at ORL). Heat won prior (125-119, Jan. 27, 2025 at MIA). In last 5: Split 2-3, averaging 114.6-111.8 scores (unders 60%).
Home teams win 55% ATS in series; totals go over 55% when both shoot 45%+ FG.
Betting Trends
Spread: Heat 13-9 ATS overall (5-5 road). Magic 11-11 ATS; 6-4 as 5+ favorites. Trend: Underdogs cover 4/5 last in series.
Moneyline: Magic 10-7 as favorites; Heat 7-5 as dogs.
Total: 3/5 last meetings over; Heat 7/10 road overs, Magic 6/10 home unders. Last 5 combined: 55% over.
Trends: Home team 6/10 ATS; under 4/6 Magic home games. Heat 4-1 ATS as 5+ dogs.
Predicted Score: Orlando Magic 119, Miami Heat 115
Game Odds
Miami Heat 241.5
Orlando Magic – 5.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Thursday, December 4, 2025
