The opening matchup in Tuesday’s NBA Cup doubleheader is an all-Florida battle between the Orlando Magic and Miami Heat.
The pregame narrative: This will be the third meeting in Orlando between these teams already, and the Magic won the first two. Tonight’s game is a pick’em with Franz Wagner (ankle) ruled out for the home team.
Check out my +390 Heat vs. Magic SGP predictions for Dec. 9, featuring prop bets on Jaime Jaquez and Paolo Banchero.
-> Join NorthStar Bets to start betting on the NBA
Heat vs. Magic SGP
Parlay: Jaquez 10+ points | Banchero 20+ points | Heat +4.5 (+390)
Jaquez 10+ points (-167): After receiving Rookie of the Year and Sixth Man of the Year votes two seasons ago, Jaquez took a step back as a scorer in 2024-25.
But the third-year forward has taken two steps forward so far this season.
Jaquez has cut down on his 3-point shooting to focus on inside shots that suit him better. He’s posting career-high numbers in shot attempts, free throw attempts and FG%.
-> Build your own Heat vs. Magic SGP at NorthStar Bets
This would be a lot of juice to bet as a straight wager, but it still seems fairly playable based on what should be expected of him. Jaquez is averaging 15.8 PPG, after all.
The former UCLA Bruin is 20-3 vs. this scoring milestone, cashing it in both previous matchups vs. the Magic (29 combined points in those games).
NBA SGP legs
Banchero 20+ points (-104): Wagner, who leads the Magic in shot attempts and points, suffered an ankle sprain last time out and is expected to miss multiple weeks.
Naturally, some players will have to step up and shoulder a greater offensive workload. Banchero is a prime candidate to do that.
-> Wager on Banchero & Jaquez’s prop markets now!
- In 17 career games without Wagner, Banchero has averaged 22.9 points on 19.3 shots. He is 14-3 vs. this milestone.
- Despite playing alongside Wagner in all 14 of his games this year, Banchero is averaging 20.4 PPG and is 9-5 vs. this milestone.
A 20-point output is already well within Banchero’s reach, and now he’ll have the opportunity to reach that without Orlando’s most active shooter. Count me in.
Heat +4.5 (-210): Miami is 0-2 vs. Orlando this season, but those two losses came by a combined five points.
The Heat are now 4-0 ATS in their past four matchups against the Magic, and I think this is a number Miami should absolutely cover tonight.
Orlando is on a four-game ATS losing skid and is just 11-13 ATS on the season. Miami, meanwhile, is 14-10 ATS.
-> Check out full NBA Cup betting markets for tonight
Miami and Orlando are both 14-10 straight up, and they’re both top-10 in net rating. In a matchup that even, I feel good about picking a side to bank some points with.
And part of my calculus for picking the Heat is the fact that Wagner will sit tonight. Miami should at least be able to keep this one close, as it did in its two previous head-to-head matchups.
Heat vs. Magic predictions made at 11:45 a.m. ET on Dec. 9, 2025.
-> Sign up to NorthStar Bets today!
Looking to get started? Sign up here.
Jordan enjoys writing data-driven game previews and analysis articles — especially for MLB markets or NFL/NBA props. And as a proud Ohio University grad, he’ll always have a soft spot for college sports (especially if the Bobcats are involved). Previous stops include mlb.com, Sportsnet and The Athletic.