The Miami Heat and Orlando Magic, both sitting at 14-10 and tied for fourth in the Eastern Conference, clash in a high-stakes NBA In-Season Tournament (NBA Cup) quarterfinal on Tuesday night. This Florida rivalry game features two teams desperate for momentum: Miami on a three-game skid, and Orlando looking to build on a gritty home-court edge despite key absences. The winner advances to the semifinals in Las Vegas, adding extra intensity to what could be a defensive battle between Southeast Division foes. Expect physical play in the paint and opportunistic three-point shooting to decide the outcome.
Game Details
Venue: Kia Center, Orlando, Florida
Tipoff: 6:00 p.m. ET
Broadcast: Amazon Prime Video
Team Records
| Team | Overall Record | Home Record | Road Record | Southeast Division Stand |
| Miami Heat | 14-10 | 8-4 | 6-6 | 3-2 |
| Orlando Magic | 14-10 | 9-3 | 5-7 | 2-3 |
Both squads have been middling this season, with Miami leaning on defensive grit (No. 8 in defensive rating) and Orlando excelling in rebounding (No. 4 in offensive rebound percentage). The Heat rank 22nd in pace, while the Magic are more deliberate at No. 18.
Injury Report
Injuries could tilt this matchup, especially for Orlando, which will be shorthanded in the frontcourt and on the wing.
| Team | Player | Position | Status | Injury Details | Estimated Return |
| Miami Heat | Tyler Herro | SG | Probable | Right big toe contusion | December 9 |
| Davion Mitchell | PG | Probable | Right groin tightness | December 9 | |
| Pelle Larsson | SF | Probable | Right hip flexor | December 9 | |
| Dru Smith | PG | Questionable | Left hip contusion | December 9 | |
| Terry Rozier | PG | Out | Not with team (personal/legal issues) | December 18 | |
| Orlando Magic | Franz Wagner | SF | Out | Left high ankle sprain | TBD (multiple weeks) |
| Moritz Wagner | PF | Out | Left knee injury | TBD |
Herro’s return (23.8 PPG, 39.5% from three) is a massive boost for Miami’s spacing, while Mitchell adds defensive versatility. Orlando’s Wagner brothers are huge losses—Franz (22.7 PPG, 6.1 RPG) has been their second-leading scorer, forcing more minutes for Paolo Banchero and Wendell Carter Jr.
Recent Team Forms
Miami enters desperate to snap a skid, having dropped three straight amid tough scheduling (back-to-back road-heavy). Orlando has been more consistent at home but stumbled in its last outing.
Miami Heat Last 5 Games:
| Date | Opponent | Result | Key Notes |
| Dec. 6 | vs. SAC | L 111-127 | Bam Adebayo: 24 PTS, 15 REB; Poor 3PT shooting (9-31) |
| Dec. 5 | @ ORL | L 105-106 | Close loss to Magic; Herro out, defense allowed 106 PTS |
| Dec. 3 | @ DAL | L 108-118 | Turnovers (11) killed momentum; 39.6% FG |
| Dec. 1 | vs. LAC | W 140-123 | Season-high scoring; 24 made 3s |
| Nov. 29 | vs. DET | L 135-138 | Overtime heartbreaker; Allowed 138 PTS |
Form: 1-4 (ATS: 1-4). Miami’s defense has slipped (allowing 120+ in 3 of last 5), but they’ve won 6 of last 10 overall.
Orlando Magic Last 5 Games:
| Date | Opponent | Result | Key Notes |
| Dec. 7 | @ NYK | L 100-106 | Franz Wagner out; 28.6% from three |
| Dec. 5 | vs. MIA | W 106-105 | Buzzer-beater win; Banchero: 28 PTS |
| Dec. 3 | vs. SAS | L 112-114 | Narrow loss; Strong rebounding (48 total) |
| Dec. 1 | vs. CHI | W 125-120 | Banchero double-double; 51.1% FG |
| Nov. 28 | @ DET | W 112-109 | Road grit; 15 assists from bench |
Form: 3-2 (ATS: 2-3). Orlando is 9-3 at home but 1-4 ATS in its last five, struggling with perimeter defense without Wagner.
Series History
This intrastate rivalry dates back to 1988, with Miami holding a commanding all-time edge. However, Orlando has flipped the script recently, winning the first two meetings this season.
All-Time Regular Season: Heat lead 81-63 (56.3% win rate)
Last 10 Meetings: Even at 5-5
Recent Results:
Dec. 5, 2025: Magic 106-105 (Heat; buzzer-beater by Jalen Suggs)
Oct. 22, 2025: Magic 125-121 (Heat; season opener in Orlando)
Jan. 27, 2025: Heat 125-119 (Magic)
Dec. 26, 2024: Heat 89-88 (Magic; thriller)
Dec. 21, 2024: Magic 121-114 (Heat)
The series averages 212.4 points per game, with unders hitting in 6 of the last 10. Miami is 4-1 ATS in its last five road games vs. Orlando.
Key Player Matchups
With injuries thinning both benches, star power will shine. Focus on these battles:
Bam Adebayo (MIA, 19.2 PPG, 10.1 RPG, 3.8 APG) vs. Paolo Banchero (ORL, 20.4 PPG, 7.9 RPG): Adebayo has dominated this series (19.5 PPG in last four vs. Orlando), using his footwork to exploit switches. Banchero’s athleticism and pull-up game (38% from three) could test Miami’s help defense, but without Franz Wagner, he’ll shoulder more usage (projected 35+ minutes). Edge: Heat if Adebayo draws fouls early.
Tyler Herro (MIA, 23.8 PPG, 5.1 APG) vs. Jalen Suggs (ORL, 14.2 PPG, elite defender): Herro’s probable return adds a microwave scorer who torched Orlando for 28 points in their last meeting (when healthy). Suggs’ on-ball pressure (1.8 SPG) could disrupt Miami’s half-court sets, but Herro’s off-ball movement creates open looks. Edge: Heat, assuming Herro’s toe holds up.
Jaime Jaquez Jr. (MIA, 15.4 PPG, versatile wing) vs. Desmond Bane (ORL, 18.3 PPG, sharpshooter): Jaquez’s two-way play (slashing and rebounding) matches up well against Bane’s off-ball shooting (42% from three). With Wagner out, Bane becomes Orlando’s primary perimeter threat. Jaquez has stepped up in Miami’s skid (18.2 PPG last three). Edge: Toss-up; winner controls the wing.
Bench Depth: Wendell Carter Jr. (ORL, 11.5 PPG, 8.2 RPG) vs. Miami’s Frontcourt Rotation: Carter fills the Moritz Wagner void with rim protection (1.2 BPG), but Miami’s switches (Adebayo, Jaquez) could expose him. Heat’s bench has outscored opponents by 4.2 PPG lately.
Betting Trends
Spread: Miami is 6-4 ATS as road favorites this season; Orlando is 7-5 ATS at home but 1-4 ATS in last five overall.
Total: 232.5 to 234.5 (O/U -110). Unders have cashed in 7 of Miami’s last 10 road games (avg. 215.3 points); series unders in 60% of recent meetings.
Other Trends:
Heat: 3-7 ATS in last 10; 1-4 straight-up in last five.
Magic: 6-4 in last 10; Over in 6 of last 8 home games.
Game Odds
Miami Heat 235.5
Orlando Magic – 1.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Monday, December 8, 2025
