Raptors vs. Heat Point Spread: NBA Odds, Prediction
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Charlie Grant
The Toronto Raptors return to holiday hoop action after a three-day break with one of the hottest ATS teams waiting to fossilize them.
NBA Point Spread and Betting Analysis
The Raptors come into Wednesday’s matchup following a blowout loss to the Philadelphia 76ers from the weekend. Toronto is just 1-4 against the spread in its last five games and 4-9 ATS in its last 13 games.
The Raps remain first in the Eastern Conference despite having the same number of losses (10) as the Milwaukee Bucks. Toronto hasn’t had much luck against the Heat in recent years. Miami is a perfect 5-0 against the number in its last five contests against the Drakes.
The Heat enter the home date against the Raptors riding a five-game win streak with wins over the Houston Rockets and Milwaukee Bucks inside the run. Miami is 18-14 ATS on the season and 12-3 ATS over its last 15 games.
Defence has been the key to the improved results. The Heat are allowing just 94 points per game during the hot spell, and the Under is 9-3 in their last 12 games.
Toronto Raptors
The three-day break came at a perfect time for the Dinos. Toronto suffered through several injuries to key contributors over the last few weeks. Pascal Siakam, Kawhi Leonard, Kyle Lowry, Serge Ibaka and Jonas Valanciunas all missed games this month.
Valanciunas remains in street clothes on game days until mid January as he waits for hand to heal and Ibaka is questionable to play on Wednesday because of the same knee issue that’s been giving him trouble. Siakam, Leonard and Lowry are all healthy and expected to suit up for the game against the Heat.
Miami Heat
The Heat are coping with injury problems of their own. Starting point guard and former All-Star Goran Dragic played sporadically this season due to a bad knee. The team decided to finally have it cleaned up and Dragic is expected to miss six weeks.
His departure leaves the team hierarchy in disarray. Josh Richardson leads Miami in scoring this month at 14.4 points per game, but he’s not someone who can create his own shot in isolation.
The Heat, instead, play a team game. Eight players are averaging nine or more points per game in December including bench players like Kelly Olynyk and Dwyane Wade.
