I think by the end of the season, the Magic will be clearly the better team (if they aren't already), but Miami won three of four in the series last year and both at home. Plus, team boss Pat Riley put veterans like Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo in the spotlight this offseason with some criticisms of both after a disappointing 2023-24 season. Like EF Hutton, when Pat Riley talks, you listen. Miami has won eight of its past nine home openers and will honor Riley tonight by dedicating the court in his name during a special halftime ceremony. The Heat can't lose on Pat Riley night.

The Miami Heat closed out the preseason on fire, winning four straight to finish four and one in the preseason. They beat Orlando two games to one, winning and covering both games at home. The Heat are 100% healthy and have everybody ready to go, including Jimmy Butler, who's the first thing you need to look for when betting on the Heat. Here at home, Heat win on the money line.

Jaime Jaquez Jr. looks poised for significant minutes on opening night, especially considering that Caleb Martin departed in the offseason and Josh Richardson is set to miss this game. Jaquez had an impressive rookie season where he made the All-Rookie team and he looked like the best player at the Summer League in Las Vegas. I have him projected to play 27 minutes tonight and if that is the case he should blow by this combo line.

We don't mind taking a lead with the Magic, which made dramatic improvement (+13 wins) last season and took the Cavs to seven games in the first round of a surprise playoff experience. Consensus opinion around the league is that it's just the start, as one of the youngest rosters has already started to coagulate and remains firmly in place, with breakout star F Franz Wagner recently signing a nice contract extension. Meanwhile, the Heat are an older team and didn't do anything substantive to upgrade the roster or get younger in the offseason unless rookie C Kel'el Ware emerges as a force. On opening night, however, that might be asking a bit much. Play Magic