Miami Heat (24-16) vs. Toronto Raptors (15-25)
January 17, 2024 7:30 pm EDT
The Line: Toronto Raptors +2.5; Over/Under: +228
(Get latest betting odds)
The Miami Heat and the Toronto Raptors duke it out at the Scotiabank Arena on Wednesday night. Here’s a Heat vs Raptors Prediction.
Miami Heat
The Miami Heat have been in fine form as they’ve won nine of their last 13 games overall and they will be aiming for a fourth straight win after outlasting the Nets in a 96-95 overtime road win on Monday. Jimmy Butler led the team with 31 points on eight of 12 shooting, Tyler Herro added 29 points with 11 rebounds on 11 of 22 shooting while Bam Adebayo chipped in with 11 points, 20 rebounds and four assists but no other player finished in double figures in scoring. As a team, the Heat shot just 37 percent from the field and eight of 31 from the 3-point line as they clawed their way back from an early 16-point deficit, before they finished the final 1:29 of overtime on an 8-2 run to escape with the hard-fought victory.
Miami Heat Team Facts
- The Heat have won each of their last seven games against Eastern Conference opponents.
- The Heat have failed to cover the spread in each of their last seven games as road favorites against Eastern Conference opponents following a win.
- Each of the Heat’s last six road games have gone UNDER the total points line.
Toronto Raptors
Meanwhile, the Toronto Raptors have been in a slump as they’ve lost five of their last six games overall and they will be hoping to put an end to a four-game slide after getting beaten by the Celtics in a 105-96 loss on Monday. RJ Barrett led the team with 24 points, nine rebounds and four assists on 11 of 19 shooting, Immanuel Quickley added 21 points while Pascal Siakam chipped in with 17 points. As a team, the Raptors shot just 40 percent from the field and a miserly four of 32 from the 3-point line which was still good enough to stay within striking distance right till the end, but the Raptors just couldn’t buy a shot from long distance when they needed it most.
Toronto Raptors Team Facts
- The Raptors have lost nine of their last 10 games against teams that held a winning record.
- The Raptors have failed to cover the spread in each of their last five home games against teams that held a winning record.
- Each of the Raptors’ last four games as home underdogs have gone UNDER the total points line.
Heat vs Raptors Prediction
The Heat are still shorthanded with Kevin Love and Jaime Jacquez Jr both out, while the Raptors have ruled out Otto Porter Jr and they have Gary Trent Jr listed as questionable. The Heat have continued to pile on the wins despite dealing with multiple injuries on a nightly basis and I think we’re going to see that trend continue here as the Raptors have really struggled during their four-game losing streak. The Heat are so much more dangerous with Butler back in the lineup, so I’m sticking with the Heat to get the job done at the short line in this spot.
