Miami Heat 2024-2025 Season Preview, Betting Odds

"Heat Culture" is constantly referenced as being the driving force behind the Miami Heat's run of success, yet after finishing the regular season in the exact same spot they had the year prior, which culminated in a trip to the NBA Finals, the culture in which they speak of wasn't enough to compensate for a plethora of injuries which battered the roster far too often.

In this 2024-25 season preview, we'll dissect all pertinent betting odds involving the Heat as they still remain capable of living up to the colossal expectations they set upon themselves, just as long as their players aren't bandaged up on the sidelines. 

Miami Heat's 2024 Offseason Acquisitions 

Miami Heat's 2024 Offseason Departures

Miami Heat's 2025 NBA Championship, Eastern Conference, Southeast Division Betting Odds

Odds as of September 19, 2024

Miami was forced to trot out a franchise-record 35 different starting lineups in 2023-24 as the likes of Jimmy Butler (22 games missed) and Tyler Herro (40 games missed) all dealt with significant injuries. This bad luck carried over into the postseason with Butler missing the entire first-round matchup against the Boston Celtics after spraining his MCL during the play-in tournament. 

It was an unfortunate end to a surprising 46-win campaign all things considered, as the Heat had stunned Boston the year prior in the Eastern Conference finals and likely would have given the eventual champions their toughest test with a full arsenal at their disposal. 

Best Bet: Miami Heat To Win Southeast Division, +160

There's some logic behind perhaps sprinkling a touch on the Heat getting out of the East, considering they came within arm's reach of one of the biggest upsets ever in 2023 by advancing to the Finals as the eighth seed and becoming the first team to do so in a non-lockout year. With that being said, lightning usually doesn't strike twice, and Miami's path back is riddled with immense competition in the form of the Celtics, Philadelphia 76ers, New York Knicks, and Milwaukee Bucks.

The more intelligent play is for the Heat to take the Southeast Division. They're currently not favored to do so, mind you, as the Orlando Magic hold down the top spot after prevailing by a single game last season. Knock on wood, but if Miami isn't bitten by the injury bug again, the odds should start to shift more so in its direction, which makes getting in at plus money all the more advantageous. 

Butler is getting up there at age 35, but the core surrounding him in Herro (24), All-Star Bam Adebayo (27), and sophomore Jaime Jaquez Jr. (23) are all entering or are in the prime of their careers. That four-man group can keep Miami afloat, although 46 victories still only generated the eighth seed and yet another trip to the play-in, so it's going to take more than healthy bodies to conjure forward momentum. 

Miami Heat's 2024-25 NBA Win Total, Make Playoffs Odds

Odds as of September 18, 2024

The Heat have finished below the .500 mark only once since 2008, and that came in 2015 with a 37-45 record. They've won at least 53 percent of their games for five consecutive seasons, as well. 

Best Bet: OVER 44.5 Wins, -110

If all Miami has to do is win 45 games, which it just did (plus one) despite not having a full deck of cards to play with from start to finish, then as things stand with the payouts being identical for betting either the OVER or UNDER, you should absolutely take the OVER.

It's inevitable that Butler and Herro will be out of action at some point because that's what history would suggest. The defense is formidable enough to compensate to an extent, as the team's offense should still be in shambles, but being able to navigate those waters (13-9 without Butler, 23-17 without Herro in 2023-24) effectively should keep the win-loss column looking strong no matter the circumstances. 

Miami Heat's 2024 NBA Cup Odds

Odds as of September 19, 2024

Miami went 2-2 in East Group B during the inaugural in-season tournament, missing out on qualification for the knockout stage as fellow inhabitants Milwaukee and New York eked through. It currently possesses the third-best odds to win East Group B this year, trailing the Bucks and Indiana Pacers.

Miami Heat's 2024-25 NBA Awards Odds

Odds as of September 19, 2024

Best Bet: Jaime Jaquez Jr. For NBA Sixth Man Of The Year, +1500

Jaquez Jr. - who received a lone third place vote for the hardware last season - is one of 11 players currently owning 20-to-1 odds or greater in the Sixth Man of the Year race. It's incredibly early and it will take some time before we start seeing some separation from any one player, but Jaquez Jr. should receive ample opportunity to distinguish himself early and often.

Across his rookie year, Jaquez Jr. averaged 11.9 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and a steal per game while converting a smidge under 49 percent from the field. In his 75 appearances, 55 of those came as a member of the second unit, which is where he should continue to be bolstering a bench which ranked 10th in scoring. 

If Butler's minutes are held back in order to preserve his body, there may be an opening for Jaquez Jr. to accumulate even more playing time, which would therefore lead to stronger statistical output. Head coach Erik Spoelstra is evidently very high on the forward, and the odds are ever so sweet to take a flyer in this future. 

2024-25 NBA Team Previews, Betting Odds