Magic vs. Heat: TV Schedule, Live Stream, Spread Info and More

Dwight Howard and the Orlando Magic (29-16) will try to knock off the Miami Heat (32-11) on the road Sunday night in South Beach when the two Eastern Conference rivals face off in the NBA's version of March Madness.

The Heat are always strong at home, where they have won 18 of 20 this season behind LeBron James' 27.7 points per game in 2011-12. 

Where: AmericanAirlines Arena, Miami, FL

When: Sunday, March 18, 2012, 7:00 PM ET

Watch: ESPN or stream live with NBA League Pass

Listen: Orlando: WDBO—AM 580, Miami: 790 AM The Ticket

Betting Line

Heat -8.5 over Magic, according to covers.com. This is a fair spread considering the location of this game, in South Beach where LeBron James and the Big Three never lose it seems. Miami will have a tough time covering the line if Orlando fixes its turnover woes. 

Over/under: 188.5, according to covers.com. The last time the Heat and Magic met in Miami, the two Eastern Conference powers combined for 168 points and the Heat won by 12. Orlando will have more motivation late in the season and more chemistry with the Dwight Howard drama put to rest.

Key Injuries

Miami: Mike Miller (ankle), did not travel with the team for their three-game road trip, according to ESPN.com

Orlando: Von Wafer (lower back strain) has not played since March 11, according to ESPN.com

What They're Saying

Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra was confident in his players and team after Friday night's six-point win over the Philadelphia 76ers.

“If we play with a real sense of toughness and urgency and a commitment to our identity, we can play this game at a high level against any team.”

Orlando Magic forward Glen "Big Baby" Davis expressed a tranquil feeling following Orlando's Friday night win and the news of Dwight Howard remaining in the Magic Kingdom.

"Everybody feels at peace ... for now," he said

Most Important Player to Watch: Dwight Howard

Superman, who can now focus of basketball instead of trade rumors, is averaging 21.1 points and 15 rebounds per game this season for the Magic. He will be key if they are to take down the Big Three in Miami on Sunday night.

Orlando is 2-1 against Miami this season, but they fell by 12 at AmericanAirlines arena back February.

In the two Magic victories, Howard posted 24 and 25 rebounds. His 25-board, 24-point effort came last Tuesday when the Magic out-lasted LeBron James and the Heat in overtime. If Howard is a factor on the glass, Orlando will have continued success against the Heat.

Key Matchup: Dwyane Wade vs. Orlando's Defense

Dwyane Wade has been an assassin against the Orlando Magic this season. He has been the game-high scorer in each of the two teams' three meetings in 2012. Wade has posted 33, 27 and 28 respectively and matches up well with the Magic. 

Orlando must look to defense Wade first and foremost on Sunday night in order to force James and Chris Bosh to beat them. The key will be taking away one of the trio of scorers, and Wade is clearly the most lethal one against Orlando.

Prediction

The Heat are just too tough at home and will want to erase any memory of their 14-point blown lead Tuesday night at the Amway Center. They win, but defense leads the way.

Heat 98, Magic 93