Maybe Friday’s big blowout win against New Orleans will help the Toronto Raptors build some momentum. Prior to that, Toronto had lost consecutive games and had dropped eight of its last nine against the spread (ATS). It’s clear that the Raps are still working to get their new additions to feel comfortable and find their roles within the team. If they can get Marc Gasol and Jeremy Lin in a groove, they’re going to be a difficult team to beat in the playoffs, but for now, they’re still a work in progress.

NBA Point Spread and Betting Analysis

The Dinos look really good on paper in most of their matchups, which is why you’ll see them as favourites more often or not. Still, they remain one of the worst bets in the NBA at 28-38 ATS. They haven’t had any success in that area against Miami either as the Heat have covered their last six against Toronto.

Betting over the total might be worth a look in this spot. Each of the last four meetings between these teams have played over and Miami has played over in six of its last eight games overall. Plus, the Raptors have put up at least 118 points in six of their last nine and are coming off a clinical offensive performance against the Pelicans that saw them blow New Orleans out of the water in the second half.

Toronto Raptors

When Kawhi Leonard is healthy and has it going, he can take over a game. He needed just a little over 27 minutes on the floor to put up 31 points on 14-for-20 shooting from the field on Friday. In 47 games played, Leonard is averaging 27.1 points with 7.3 rebounds, 1.9 steals, and 3.3 assists per game. In short, he’s been even better than the Raps could have expected since coming over from San Antonio, but reports indicate he could be rested again on Sunday. It’s situations like these that Toronto really needs Gasol to take over games the same way as Leonard can. Gasol scored only four points against the Pelicans in about 19 minutes of work, marking the fifth time in eight games that he has scored in single digits.

Miami Heat

Dwyane Wade is leading a bench squad that might be the envy of the entire league right now. With Wade, Goran Dragic, and Hassan Whiteside all coming off the pine, the Heat are bringing it with their second unit and that has them riding a four-game winning streak ahead of Sunday’s date with Toronto. Seven different Miami players average at least 10 points per night and 11 players are averaging at least 18 minutes per game. Miami can D-up, too. The Heat rank third in points allowed (106.3), and second in field goal percentage allowed (44.5).

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Injuries

Toronto

Fred VanVleet (PG)

Prob Mon Face - 08 / 06 / 19

Patrick McCaw (SG)

Prob Thurs Personal - 15 / 05 / 19

Pascal Siakam (PF)

Prob Sun Calf - 04 / 05 / 19

Jeremy Lin (PG)

Prob Tues Back - 02 / 05 / 19

Chris Boucher (PF)

Prob Wed Back - 01 / 05 / 19

Chris Boucher (PF)

Ques Mon Back - 18 / 04 / 19

Serge Ibaka (C)

Out Tues Rest - 09 / 04 / 19

Danny Green (SG)

Prob Tues Ankle - 07 / 04 / 19

Danny Green (SG)

Prob Wed Thumb - 01 / 04 / 19

Patrick McCaw (SG)

Prob Fri Thumb - 30 / 03 / 19

Miami

Dion Waiters (SG)

Prob Fri Knee - 04 / 04 / 19

Ryan Anderson (PF)

Prob Tues Personal - 04 / 04 / 19

Josh Richardson (SG)

Late April Hip - 03 / 04 / 19

Derrick Jones Jr. (SF)

Ques Sun Knee - 01 / 04 / 19

Derrick Jones Jr. (SF)

Prob Mon Personal - 31 / 03 / 19

Derrick Jones Jr. (SF)

Ques Sat Personal - 30 / 03 / 19

Josh Richardson (SG)

Prob Wed Heel - 27 / 03 / 19

Bam Adebayo (C)

Prob Fri Hip - 21 / 03 / 19

Rodney McGruder (SF)

Prob Wed Knee - 18 / 03 / 19

Justise Winslow (SF)

Prob Wed Thigh - 16 / 03 / 19

Injuries

Toronto

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Fred VanVleet (PG)	Prob Mon	Face - 08 / 06 / 19	2-0	1-2	+ -
VanVleet sustained a facial laceration and chipped tooth in the previous game but is expected to suit up for Game 5 of the NBA Finals against the Warriors.
Patrick McCaw (SG)	Prob Thurs	Personal - 15 / 05 / 19	7-4	6-6	+ -
McCaw has been tending to a personal matter, but he is likely to return for Game 1 of the NBA Finals against the Warriors.
Pascal Siakam (PF)	Prob Sun	Calf - 04 / 05 / 19	9-6	8-8	+ -
Siakam is expected to play in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference second round against the 76ers despite a right calf contusion.
Jeremy Lin (PG)	Prob Tues	Back - 02 / 05 / 19	9-7	8-9	+ -
Lin is battling back spasms but is expected to suit up against the 76ers in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference second round.
Chris Boucher (PF)	Prob Wed	Back - 01 / 05 / 19	9-7	8-9	+ -
Boucher is dealing with back spasms but it is likely he will play in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Bucks.
Chris Boucher (PF)	Ques Mon	Back - 18 / 04 / 19	13-8	9-13	+ -
Boucher is dealing with back spasms and it is unclear if he will be available for Game 2 of the Eastern Conference second round against the 76ers.
Serge Ibaka (C)	Out Tues	Rest - 09 / 04 / 19	15-9	10-15	+ -
Ibaka will not suit up against the Timberwolves on Tuesday as he is to be rested.
Danny Green (SG)	Prob Tues	Ankle - 07 / 04 / 19	15-10	10-15-1	+ -
Green tweaked his ankle in the last game but it is anticipated that he will play against the Timberwolves on Tuesday.
Danny Green (SG)	Prob Wed	Thumb - 01 / 04 / 19	18-10	12-16-1	+ -
Green jammed his left thumb during the last game but it is unlikely to deter him from being available against the Nets on Wednesday.
Patrick McCaw (SG)	Prob Fri	Thumb - 30 / 03 / 19	19-10	12-17-1	+ -
McCaw has been debilitated with a sprained right thumb but will likely return to action against the Magic in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference first round.

Miami

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Dion Waiters (SG)	Prob Fri	Knee - 04 / 04 / 19	1-3	3-1	+ -
Waiters is likely to play against the Timberwolves on Friday despite a left knee injury.
Ryan Anderson (PF)	Prob Tues	Personal - 04 / 04 / 19	1-3	3-1	+ -
Anderson has missed the last two games due to a personal matter but is likely to be available for Tuesday's matchup with the 76ers.
Josh Richardson (SG)	Late April	Hip - 03 / 04 / 19	2-3	4-1	+ -
Richardson is sidelined with a right hip strain and is expected to miss at least two weeks of action.
Derrick Jones Jr. (SF)	Ques Sun	Knee - 01 / 04 / 19	3-3	4-2	+ -
Jones Jr. was held out of the last two games due to a right knee bone bruise and it is undetermined if it will hinder his availability against the Raptors on Sunday.
Derrick Jones Jr. (SF)	Prob Mon	Personal - 31 / 03 / 19	3-3	4-2	+ -
Jones Jr. is tending to a personal matter but is projected to face the Celtics on Monday.
Derrick Jones Jr. (SF)	Ques Sat	Personal - 30 / 03 / 19	3-3	4-3	+ -
Jones is dealing with a personal issue and his status for Saturday's matchup against the Knicks is uncertain.
Josh Richardson (SG)	Prob Wed	Heel - 27 / 03 / 19	3-4	4-4	+ -
Richardson has missed the past three games with a left heel contusion but is expected to return to the lineup Wednesday against the Celtics.
Bam Adebayo (C)	Prob Fri	Hip - 21 / 03 / 19	6-5	7-5	+ -
Adebayo is nursing a right hip contusion but it is likely he will be in Friday's lineup versus the Bucks.
Rodney McGruder (SF)	Prob Wed	Knee - 18 / 03 / 19	7-5	7-6	+ -
McGruder has been absent from the lineup with soreness in his left knee but is likely to draw back into the lineup Wednesday against the Celtics.
Justise Winslow (SF)	Prob Wed	Thigh - 16 / 03 / 19	7-6	7-7	+ -
Winslow is sidelined with a right thigh contusion and is also dealing with a case of food poisoning. He is projected to face the Celtics on Wednesday.

Raptors vs. Heat Prediction