2019 NBA Preview, Odds, And Prediction: Miami Heat vs Toronto Raptors

The Miami Heat are looking to bounce back strong from their shocking loss to a shorthanded Washington Wizards last Monday. As they head back home in South Florida, Erik Spoelstra and the rest of the crew aim to protect home court anew when the Toronto Raptors visit them on Thursday inside the American Airlines Arena.

The 123-105 stunning loss to the Wizards definitely came as a surprise. The Heat had come off a five-game winning streak prior to the match, including impressive victories against the Sixers, Jazz, and Pacers. Credit must be given to where it’s due, and in all fairness to the Wizards, their torrid shooting really caught the Heat off-guard. Despite missing five of its rotation players including All-Star guard Bradley Beal, Washington was able to force 19 infractions against Miami.

The situation in Toronto roster-wise is not quite different as to that of Washington. The Raptors have been missing three of their top six players but are still managing to nab wins from here and there. In fact, they effortlessly dismantled the Cavs at home on Tuesday, 117-97, behind an experimented starting line-up that saw Nick Nurse insert Rondae Hollis-Jefferson to take the spot of a seemingly struggling OG Anunoby in his first five. Hollis-Jefferson rewarded his coach’s trust by scoring 14 markers and grabbing five boards in 28 minutes of play.

The Raptors’ road game in Miami will be the first of their 10 road games this month. They are just a game and a half behind the Heat with a 23-11 record which is good for the fourth spot in the East. The Heat sits at third with 24-9.

The Heat are still the best team in the NBA when playing at home with a 15-1 tally. It will be put to test anew as the Raptors bring in their own winning road record of 9-6.

Odds and Trends:

The Heat are handicapped by -5.5 points. The total points market is pick’em at 215 O/U.

Just like on straight-up, there is not much problem for the Raptors on the spread market when they play on the road. Hot trends show them beating the handicap at an 80 percent rate as visitors both when playing against a team with a winning home record and a team with a home winning percentage of greater than .600.

Over to the other side, the trends reveal the Heat winning ATS during Thursday games, 8-0-1, as they are 9-1 in their last 10 games following a straight-up loss.

The Raptors are 6-1 in the OVER selection of the Total points market in their last seven games against a team with a winning straight up record. The Heat, meanwhile, are 7-1 OVER in their last eight games as a favorite.

Prediction:

Straight-up: Heat

ATS: Heat

Total: Over