Predictions & Picks, NBA Best Bets for Tuesday, Dec. 9
Summary
Two NBA Cup quarterfinal matchups are previewed. The Miami Heat, on a three-game skid, visit the Orlando Magic, who won their two prior meetings this season. With both teams at 14-10, defense is expected to dominate, leading to a prediction of under 234.5 total points.
Later, the New York Knicks (16-7) face the Toronto Raptors (15-10). New York has won eight of ten, while Toronto has lost three straight and struggles offensively. Key injuries affect both sides, but the Knicks are favored to cover the -4.5 spread and advance.
Miami Heat vs Orlando Magic 6:00 p.m. EST
| Spread | ML | Total | |
| Heat | -1 (-110) | -115 | O234.5 (-110) |
| Magic | +1 (-110) | -105 | U234.5 (-110) |
The two teams clash for the third time this season, this time in a NBA Cup quarterfinal matchup – the Magic won the previous two meetings. Can they do it again at home? This time, the Heat are slight road favorites and they look to advance in Cup play.
Miami Heat (14-10)
The Heat are riding a three game losing streak including getting blown up by the 6-17 Kings, 127-111. Jaime Jaquez Jr. had an outstanding game scoring 27 points while Simone Fontecchio added 20 points and seven rebounds in a losing effort. Overall, Norman Powell (24.8 PPG) and Tyler Herro (23.8 PPG) lead this team in scoring while Bam Adebayo (7.6 REB) and Kel’el Ware (10.3 REB) have Miami as the No. 5 rebounding team in the league.
Orlando Magic (14-10)
The Magic have been in tight games recently with the last five all within 6 points (3 wins, 2 losses). In their last game, the Magic were led by Anthony Black’s double-double and Desmond Bane’s 16 point, six rebound performance but fell 106-100 at MSG to the Knicks.
Over the last ten games Orlando is 7-3 while averaging 121.1 points, 44.9 rebounds, and 27.2 assists while shooting 47%. They’ve been stout defensively allowing 113 PPG.
Injuries
Magic: Franz Wagner: day to day (leg), Moritz Wagner: out (knee).
Heat: Pelle Larsson: day to day (hip), Davion Mitchell: day to day (groin), Tyler Herro: day to day (toe).
Recent Betting Trends
Miami is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games.
The Heat are 4-1 ATS in the last 5 games at Orlando.
Miami is 4-9 SU in its last 13 road games.
Orlando is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games at home.
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Orlando’s last 5 games.
Orlando is 4-1 SU in its last 5 home games vs Miami
Prediction
Both meetings this season were within 4 points as the Heat won 125-121 in the season opener and then 106-105 last Friday. Expect another close one here, only this time it’s a Cup game. Just like last week, defense may be front and center in this ‘playoff’ encounter. That should result in fewer points, especially in the fourth quarter. BEST BET: Under 234.5
New York Knicks vs Toronto Raptors 8:30 p.m. EST
| Spread | ML | Total | |
| Knicks | -4.5 (-110) | -165 | O225.5 (-110) |
| Raptors | +4.5 (-110) | +140 | U225.5 (-110) |
The New York Knicks face the Toronto Raptors in the NBA Cup quarterfinals on Tuesday. New York advanced by winning Group C with a 3-1 record, while Toronto won Group A with a 4-0 mark. The Knicks (16-7) lead the Atlantic Division and have won 3 straight while the Raptors (15-10) have lost three in a row and sit third in the Atlantic.
New York Knicks (16-7)
The Knicks have a well-balanced team as they are No. 5 in points scored (120.7), and have the fifth best points against (112.4) in the NBA. And over the last 10 games, New York is 8-2 while averaging 120 points, 45 rebounds while shooting 49.4% from the field. In this stretch, the Knicks have helped opponents to just 108.7 PPG. Jalen Brunson leads this team (28 PPG, 3.1 rebounds, 6.4 assists) but Karl-Anthony Towns, who averages 12 rebounds a game may miss this with a calf injury.
Toronto Raptors (15-10)
The Raptors wrap up a five-game homestand Tuesday as they try to avenge a 116-94 loss at MSG last week. Toronto has lost five of the last six games and have struggled scoring, averaging 107.5 PPG in that stretch. Their season average is 116.4. Brandon Ingram and
Scottie Barnes lead the Raptors in scoring averaging over 20 points a game, while
Immanuel Quickley leads the team in 3-point shooting (2.5 made per game). But this team hasn’t been the same since losing RJ Barrett to injury. He’s expected to miss this one.
Injuries
Raptors: RJ Barrett: out (knee), Jamison Battle: out (ankle).
Knicks: Landry Shamet: out (shoulder), Karl-Anthony Towns: out (calf).
Recent Betting Trends
The Knicks are 6-3-1 ATS and 8-2 SU in the last ten games.
NY is 1-7-1 ATS on the road this season.
As 4 points or more favorites – the Knicks are 10-3-1 ATS.
The Raptors are 11-14-0 ATS this season.
Toronto is 4-9-0 at home ATS.
Prediction
Both teams will be missing key starters and are headed in different directions of late. The Raptors are struggling to score at the same pace while the Knicks roll in winning 7 of the last 8. Even on home court, it’s a tough matchup for Toronto. Knicks win, cover and move on in the tournament. BEST BET: Knicks -4.5
