Updated Dec. 9, 2025, 7:35 p.m. ET
They’re from the same division and the same state, and even have the same record (14-10) as the knockout rounds for the 2025 NBA Cup get underway. So the stakes will be a little higher than when the Miami Heat and Orlando Magic played just four days ago in a regular-season matchup.
The two Florida-based teams are set to tip off quarterfinal action on Tuesday, Dec. 9 with the first of two East quarterfinal games. This will be the third meeting for the two rivals this after the Magic beat the Heat in both teams’ season opener on Oct. 22 and then secured a 106-105 win on Dec. 5.
The Magic got star Paolo Banchero back after a 10-game absence last week, but announced forward Franz Wagner will miss Tuesday’s game after an MRI revealed he suffered a high ankle sprain against the New York Knicks on Sunday. Wagner’s return will depend on how he responds to treatment, while ESPN reported a typical recovery timeline for the injury would be 2 to 4 weeks. Wagner had 32 points to lead Orlando past the Heat last Friday.
The Magic have righted themselves after a slow start to the season after high preseason expectations following the team’s offseason trade for guard Desmond Bane. The Heat have been one of the NBA’s pleasant surprises to begin the 2025-26 campaign, going from one of the slowest tempos in the NBA to playing with the most pace in the league through a quarter of the schedule. But Miami enters Tuesday’s NBA Cup on a downswing, with three-straight losses and four setbacks in the past five games.
Refresh your browser and follow along for live updates and analysis from Tuesday’s NBA Cup East quarterfinal between the Orlando Magic and Miami Heat:
End Q2: Heat 57, Magic 56
The Heat imploded somewhat in the second quarter, going cold on their shooting, failing to pick up offensive rebounds and having the ball stagnate on offense.
That allowed Orlando to catch fire and outscore Miami by 12 in the period, though Miami clung to one-point lead headed into halftime. The Magic shot 61.5% from the floor in the second quarter, compared to Miami converting shots at just a 45% clip. Orlando also laced half of its 10 attempts from 3-point range to close the gap.
The Magic clogged the paint on defense, slowing Miami’s fastbreak attempts considerably in the second quarter. That slowed pace appeared to affect the Heat’s half-court offense and shot selection.
These teams entered the night tied for fifth in the NBA in defensive rating (111.8), and the team that clamps down better in the second half may come away with a trip to Las Vegas.
Tyler Herro and Norman Powell each lead the Heat with 12 points, while Desmond Bane paces the Magic with 12 of his own.
Magic riding run in second quarter
After committing 7 turnovers in the first quarter, Orlando has protected the ball and hasn’t given it away once in the second period. The Magic are hitting shots, too, and have opened the second on an 18-9 run, closing the deficit to just 4 points.
Miami is up 39-35 with 7:32 to play in the period.
End Q1: Heat 30, Magic 17
After hitting their first seven shots of the game, the Miami Heat cooled off some but still take a 13-point lead into the second quarter. Miami scored the first 15 points of the game and opened on a 20-4 run.
The Heat did it in the paint and on the perimeter, scoring 25 of their 30 points in the paint or from beyond the arc. Miami also protected the ball, committing just 2 turnovers.
It was a different story for Orlando. The Magic missed their first five shot attempts and clearly miss Franz Wagner, who is sidelined with a high-ankle sprain. Orlando’s star player, Paolo Banchero, struggled from the floor and didn’t hit a single field goal and scored only 2 points in the period. The Magic committed 7 turnovers in the first.
All five of Miami’s starters scored and Tyler Herro led the team with 9 points, while Norman Powell added 8.
The Heat come out on fire; Orlando: not so much
Miami opened the game on a blaze, hitting all five of its field goals. The Magic, meanwhile, have missed each of their four attempts and have turned the ball over once, leading to a quick, 13-0 run to start the game.
Early indications clearly show Orlando struggling without Franz Wagner.
What time is Heat vs. Magic NBA Cup game today?
The Orlando Magic will host the Miami Heat on Tuesday, Dec. 9 at 6 p.m. ET at the Kia Center in Orlando, Florida.
How to watch Heat vs. Magic NBA Cup game: TV, live streaming
The game between the Miami Heat and Orlando Magic will be live streamed nationally on Amazon Prime Video.
- Date: Dec. 9, 2025
- Time: 6 p.m. ET
- Location: Kia Center (Orlando, Florida)
- TV: None
- Streaming: Amazon Prime Video
Watch NBA Cup games with Amazon Prime
Heat, Magic injury updates
The Miami Heat will have their full complement of players for tonight’s game against the Orlando Magic, with Tyler Herro, Pelle Larsson, Davion Mitchell and Dru Smith all upgraded to available.
The Magic, meanwhile, will be missing Franz Wagner (high ankle sprain), Moritz Wagner (left knee) and Colin Castleton (fractured left thumb).
Orlando Magic starting lineup
Here are the starters for the Orlando Magic in the NBA Cup quarterfinal game against the Miami Heat:
- G Jalen Suggs
- G Anthony Black
- G Desmond Blane
- F Paolo Banchero
- C Wendell Carter Jr.
Miami Heat starting lineup
Here are the starters for the Miami Heat in the NBA Cup quarterfinal game against the Orlando Magic:
- G Davion Mitchell
- G Tyler Herro
- F Norman Powell
- F Andrew Wiggins
- C Bam Adebayo