Toronto Raptors (5-14) vs. Miami Heat (8-8)
November 29, 2024 8:00 pm EDT
The Line: Miami Heat -6.5; Over/Under: +227.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Toronto Raptors invade the Kaseya Center to do battle with the Miami Heat on Friday night. Here’s a Miami Heat vs Toronto Raptors Prediction. This article will include a Miami Heat vs Toronto Raptors Pick.
Toronto Raptors
The Toronto Raptors were one of the worst teams through the first 14 games of the season, but they have now won three of their last five games after blowing past the depleted Pelicans in a 119-93 road win on Wednesday. Ochai Agbaji and Jamison Battle each scored 24 points, RJ Barrett added 22 points with eight rebounds and 11 assists while Scottie Barnes chipped in with 17 points, 12 rebounds, and seven assists. As a team, the Raptors shot 49 percent from the field and 21 of 52 from the 3-point line as they poured in 35 points in the second quarter to take a 10-point lead into halftime, before they restricted the Pelicans to just 17 points in the third quarter to put the game to bed early and rest a few starters.
Miami Heat
Meanwhile, the Miami Heat have been in decent shape as they’ve won four of their last six games overall and they will be eager to keep it going after sneaking past the Hornets in a 98-94 road win on Wednesday. Tyler Herro led the team with 27 points, eight rebounds, and five assists, Duncan Robinson added 22 points on seven of 12 shooting while Jaime Jacquez Jr chipped in with 11 points, but no other player scored more than eight points. As a team, the Heat shot 45 percent from the field and 14 of 37 from the 3-point line as they looked to be in trouble when they squandered an early 20-point lead before they made up for it when it mattered most, scoring the final six points to escape with the narrow road victory.
Why the Miami Heat will win
- The Raptors have lost each of their last eight road games against Eastern Conference opponents.
- The Heat have won each of their last six Friday games against teams that held a losing record.
- The Heat have covered the spread in each of their last six Friday games against teams that held a losing record.
- The Raptors have failed to cover the spread in five of their last six night games at Kaseya Center following a road win.
Total Points Facts
- Each of the Raptors’ last six games as underdogs following a road win have gone OVER the total points line.
- Four of the last five games between the Raptors and Heat at Kaseya Center have gone OVER the total points line.
Miami Heat Player Facts
- Tyler Herro ranks 4th amongst qualified players for three-pointers made Per Game (4.1) this season.
- Bam Adebayo ranks 4th in the Eastern Conference amongst qualified players for steals per game (1.7) this season.
Toronto Raptors Player Facts
- Jakob Poeltl ranks 1st in the league for second-chance points (83) this season.
- RJ Barrett ranks 2nd in the league for fast break points (89) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Heat rank 1st in the league for opponent free throw attempts per game this season (17.9).
- The Heat rank 30th for points in the paint (708) this season.
- The Raptors rank 1st in the league for offensive rebounds per game this season (14.3).
- The Raptors rank 30th in the league for opponent free throws made per game this season (21.7).
Miami Heat vs Toronto Raptors Prediction
The Raptors are still missing some players with Immanuel Quickley, Gradey Dick, and Bruce Brown all out, while the Heat are keeping an eye on Kevin Love who is questionable for this one. The Raptors are starting to turn things around with three wins in their past five games, but they are still missing two of their best players, so I feel better about taking the Heat who are as healthy as they’ve been in a long time. The line is palatable for this matchup, so I will back the Heat to take care of business with a win and cover at home.
