Heat vs. Raptors Prediction
Can the Toronto Raptors continue their strong play at home when they host the Miami Heat tonight at 7:30PM ET?
545 Miami Heat vs. 546 Toronto Raptors
Tuesday, December 3, 2010
7:30PM ET – Scotiabank Arena
Compare odds and from multiple different online sportsbooks and shop for the best lines at our new NBA Odds & Betting Page.
Public Betting Trends
According to the latest oddsmakers, Toronto is favored at home, as the Raptors are getting odds of -4.5 points against Miami. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 213.5 points. The public betting currently is unavailable for this game. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our NBA Public Betting Page for updated figures on the game.
Miami playing well
Miami has been somewhat of a surprise team this season. The Heat have won three of their last four games to move to 14-5 on the season and 6-5 on the road. Miami is 13-5-1 against the spread and 9-9-1 with the over/under total.
The Heat have been solid on offense and defense this year. The defense is allowing just 105.1 points per game while holding opponents to 43.9 percent shooting from the field and 31.5 percent from the arc. Offensively, Miami is averaging 111.4 points per game while shooting 47.7 percent from the floor and 38.9 percent from the arc. The team is without Goran Dragic right now due to a groin injury. He has come off the bench to average 15.9 points and 5 assists per game this year. Jimmy Butler has been leading the team with 18.8 points, 5.5 rebounds, 6.3 assists and 2.5 steals per game. Kendrick Nunn is adding 16.1 points and 3.2 assists per contest.
Raptors red hot
The defending champs have been short handed, but have still won seven straight games coming into tonight. Their last win was 130-110 at home over Utah on Sunday. Toronto is now 15-4 on the season, 9-0 at home, 13-6 against the spread and 11-8 with the over.
The Raptors have remained a strong defensive team this year, allowing just 104.2 points per game while holding opponents to a league-low 40.8 percent shooting from the floor. Offensively, Toronto is averaging 113.3 points per game while shooting 46.3 percent as a team and a league-best 40.2 percent from the arc. The Raptors have been without both Kyle Lowry and Serge Ibaka for weeks due to injury. Ibaka returned on Sunday while Lowry is doubtful to return tonight, but is getting closer. Pascal Siakam has been leading the team with 25.6 points, 8.4 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game while Fred VanVleet is adding 18.6 points, 3.9 rebounds and 7.5 assists per contest.
NBA Betting Trends
Miami
The Heat are 8-2 against the spread in their last 10 conference games and 9-3 ATS in their last 12 games playing on 1 day of rest.
Toronto
The Raptors have covered the spread in six straight Tuesday games and in 25 of their last 29 games playing on 1 day of rest.
Prediction:
Toronto has won four straight over Miami, covering the in the last two encounters as well. They have yet to meet this season, though. The Raptors have been dominant at home, going 9-0 overall and 8-1 against the spread. The Heat have been playing very well, but winning in Toronto has been a tough task for years, even before Kawhi Leonard had shown up. The Raptors are slowly getting healthier and stronger and that should only ignite their play. Miami’s strengths are Toronto’s strengths. Toronto likes to win with defense, but the Raptors can shoot their way past Miami’s defense. I don’t know that the Heat can do the same.
NBA Prediction: Toronto Raptors -4.5