Miami Heat vs Orlando Magic predicted starting lineups and depth chart for Dec.26 | 2024-25 NBA Season

As the year draws to a close, the frenzy of festive gift shopping mirrors the intense race in the NBA, where teams are scrambling to rack up as many wins as possible. This urgency takes center stage on Thursday when the Miami Heat hosts their Floridian rivals, the Orlando Magic, in a high-stakes showdown.

The injury-hit Magic (19-12) have blown hot and cold in recent weeks, but they go into this clash aiming for a sweep against the Heat. The Magic have already won both previous matchups this season, including a most recent 121-114 at home on Saturday. The Magic have done well at the Kia Center this season, boasting a strong 12-2 record thus far.

Meanwhile, the Heat (14-13) comes into this game with complications as the mood around the team has changed drastically over the last couple of weeks with the reports suggesting that Jimmy Butler is on the trade block.

Dabbling around wins and losses has given them some sort of cushion in the standing, but it’s been a largely unsatisfactory season and the task only seems to look even harder as the weeks go by.

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Miami Heat vs Orlando Magic Predicted Starting Lineups and Depth Chart for Dec.26

Miami Heat Predicted Starting Lineups and Depth Chart

Shooting guard Josh Richardson will miss out with a right heel injury, and Dru Smith isn't expected to feature due to a torn Achilles.

Jimmy Butler is due to be assessed before Thursday’s game and is therefore considered a doubt at present. He missed the Heat's games on Dec. 21 and Dec. 23 due to a stomach illness. Terry Rozier is another name that has been listed as questionable ahead of the game due to left knee inflammation

Barring any adverse effects, both are likely to play in Thursday’s game. Otherwise, Erik Spoelstra is expected to stick with his guns and go with the same team that defeated the Nets: Duncan Robinson, Haywood Highsmith, Bam Adebayo, Tyler Herro and Jaime Jaquez Jr.

Point Guard	Shooting Guard	Small Forward	Power Forward	Center
Terry Rozier	Tyler Herro	Jimmy Butler	Haywood Highsmith	Bam Adebayo
Josh Richardson	Duncan Robinson	Jaime Jaquez Jr.	Nikola Jovic	Kel'el Ware
Dru Smith	Pelle Larson	Josh Christopher	Kevin Love
Alec Burks		Keshad Johnson

Orlando Magic Predicted Starting Lineups and Depth Chart

It’s no secret that the consistency of injuries Jamahl Mosley’s team endured is starting to affect but it’s not been all that bad given his team comes into the matchup after two big wins, including a thrilling 108-104 win against the reigning champions, Celtics.

Paolo Banchero (torn right oblique), Franz Wagner (torn right oblique), and Moe Wagner (torn left ACL) continue to be sidelined with long-term injuries.

Meanwhile, Gary Harris is listed as questionable with a left hamstring strain.

As usual, the starting lineup will revolve around these names: Tristan da Silva, Goga Bitadze, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Trevelin Queen and Jalen Suggs.

Point Guard	Shooting Guard	Small Forward	Power Forward	Center
Jalen Suggs	Kentavious Caldwell-Pope	Tristan da Silva	Jonathan Issac	Wendell Carter Jr.
Cole Anthony	Anthony Black	Gary Harris	Paolo Banchero	Mo Wagner
Cory Joseph	Jett Howard	Jett Howard	Jalen Swanson	Goga Bitadze
Mac McClung	Trevelin Queen	Jarrett Culver
Javonte Smart	Ethan Thompson	Franz Wagner