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It is a possible first-round playoff preview as the Miami Heat head north to face the Toronto Raptors on the tail-end of a back-to-back. It's time to continue our NBA odds series with a Heat-Raptors prediction and pick.
The Heat destroyed the Chicago Bulls 127-109 on Saturday night. Jimmy Butler scored 22 points while shooting 7 for 12 from the field. Additionally, Tyler Herro contributed with eight rebounds. Likewise, Kyle Lowry flourished with 10 assists. Bam Adebayo chipped in with 16 points. The Heat led by nine points at halftime and expanded the lead in the third quarter. Now, Miami needs one win to secure home court for the first round of the playoffs. Moreover, Lowry returns to Toronto for the first time since joining the Heat.
The Raptors routed the Orlando Magic 102-89 on Friday night in Florida. Pascal Siakam scored 16 points while grabbing 11 rebounds. Similarly, Fred VanVleet and Scottie Barnes each contributed 19 points. The Raptors did not dominate the game by hitting most of their shots. However, the Raptors won the turnover battle, forcing Orlando to lose possession 19 times. Also, the Raptors stole the ball 12 times to set up momentum-building scores. Now, they welcome back Lowry and hope to beat one of their former top players. The Raptors are fifth in the Eastern Conference with five games left.
Courtesy of FanDuel, here are the Heat-Raptors NBA odds:
NBA Odds: Heat-Raptors Odds
Heat: +3.5 (-110)
Raptors: -3.5 (-110)
Over: 212.5 (-110)
Under: 212.5 (-110)
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Why The Heat Could Cover The Spread
The Heat are the top seed in the Eastern Conference. Miami has succeeded this season behind spectacular shooting from beyond the arc, winning the battle on the boards, and free-throw conversions. Butler and Adebayo have been the spark that has made the Heat burn.
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Butler leads the Heat in scoring with 21.3 points per game while also garnering an average of 7.3 assists. Additionally, Adebayo has done well on the boards averaging 10.3 a game. These two carry the Heat and often determine whether Miami succeeds or fails. Now, they face a Raptors team that has beaten them twice this season. In the most recent loss to Toronto, Adebayo excelled while Butler stumbled. Abedayo scored 32 points shooting 13 for 17 from the floor. Meanwhile, Butler struggled with 16 points while shooting 3 for 10 from the field. Also, he missed all three shots from beyond the arc. The game was close because the Heat won the turnover battle. In the other loss to the Raptors, Butler dominated while Adebayo struggled. Hence, the Heat needs both Butler and Adebayo to thrive.
The Heat will cover the spread if Butler gets going, Adebayo stays hot, and Miami wins the turnover battle. In addition to that, the Heat must overcome their struggles while playing on no rest.
Why The Raptors Could Cover The Spread
Miami is 4-9 on the second half of a back-to-back. The Raptors beat the Heat twice this season in that scenario. Now, they face the top-seeded Heat coming off a dominating win over the Bulls. The Raptors are probably the one team the Heat do not want to face in the playoffs. They have won two of three games from Miami this season. Additionally, all three games the teams played were determined by five or fewer points. Toronto has a slim advantage on the line. However, the Raptors have the firepower to cover.
Gary Trent dominated in the 110-106 win over Miami on February 1, 2022. He went off for 33 points while shooting 11 for 20 from the floor. Additionally, six of those shots were from the 3-point line. In addition to that, VanVleet chipped in with 21 points. Siakam added 16 points with 14 rebounds. Significantly, the Raptors battled back from a 12-point halftime deficit to win this game.
When the Raptors fire on all cylinders, they win. Toronto will cover the spread if it can convert on its shots from the floor, hit its free throws, and thrive from beyond the arc. VanVleet and Trent can carry the Raptors in this aspect and help them win the season series against the Heat.
Final Heat-Raptors Prediction & Pick
The Heat and Raptors could meet in the playoffs. Their recent games have indicated that it would be an excellent playoff series. On one hand, Miami is the top team in the Eastern Conference. On the other hand, their inability to play well on no rest makes them vulnerable. The Raptors have fought through much to get to this point. Now, the Raptors have a prime opportunity to win the season series from the Heat for the fifth time in eight seasons. Despite Lowry's return, the edge goes to Toronto due to prep time. The Heat will come down off the hill, and the Raptors will win while covering the spread.
Final Heat-Raptors Prediction & Pick: Raptors -3.5 (-110)
