The Toronto Raptors will try to snap a four-game losing streak when they continue their current three-game homestand against the Miami Heat on Wednesday at Scotiabank Arena.
Toronto opened the homestand on Monday against the Boston Celtics, who claimed a 105-96 victory over the Raptors and covered the 6.5-point spread without star guard Jaylen Brown.
Bet on Heat vs. Raptors
MIA -2
TOR+2
Miami is coming off a 96-95 overtime win over the Brooklyn Nets on Monday and is seeking a fourth straight victory.
The Raptors will have a quick turnaround after Wednesday’s tilt with the Heat, as the Chicago Bulls will roll into Toronto on Thursday night.
Here’s a closer look at the odds courtesy of bet365:
Heat vs. Raptors odds
| Heat Moneyline Odds | -130 |
| Raptors Moneyline Odds | +110 |
| Over/Under | 227 points (over -110, under -110) |
| Spread | Heat -2 (-110) |
| Time/Date | January 17, 7:30 p.m. ET |
| TV | Broadcast: SN1 Stream: NBA League Pass (How to watch the NBA in Canada?) |
All odds courtesy of 
About the Heat (24-16 SU, 19-20-1 ATS, 18-22 o/u)
Miami, which is 60-41 all-time against the Raptors, recorded a 112-103 win in Toronto on Dec. 6 in the only other previous meeting between the teams this season. The Heat easily covered the spread as 3.5-point underdogs in that matchup without their All-Star centre, Bam Adebayo, and sharpshooter Tyler Herro, who were both out due to injuries.
Injuries have forced Miami to use 22 different starting lineups in its 40 games, with 15 different players registering at least one start. And the Heat will be without two key players on Wednesday, but we’ll touch more on that in a below section of the preview. This team seemingly finds a way to win regardless of who is on the shelf.
Miami has 12 road wins so far this season, tied for the most in the NBA.
About the Raptors (15-25 SU, 20-20 ATS, 23-17 o/u)
The Raptors are sinking fast out of playoff contention in the Eastern Conference with four straight losses, and rumours are swirling that forward Pascal Siakam will soon be traded to the Indiana Pacers. The Athletic’s Shams Charania reported Tuesday that the Raptors are engaged in trade talks with the Pacers for their star player and that Bruce Brown and a trio of first-round draft picks could be coming back the other way to Toronto.
Last month, the Raptors traded O.G. Anunoby to the New York Knicks for Canadian RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley, and both of them have played well since coming north of the border. Playing in just their second home game as Raptors on Monday, Barrett dropped 24 points and Quickley 21, marking the third time in just eight games with the Raptors that the pair have both scored 20 or more points in a game. This happened just twice when Barrett and Quickley played together on the Knicks earlier this season.
Toronto was able to hang tough with the high-powered Celtics on Monday, but the team shot 4-for-32 from three-point range and that proved to be the difference in the game.
Raptors team total under 112.5 points
-110
Injury concerns
For the Heat, bench forward Kevin Love is out with a knee injury and rookie breakout Jaime Jaquez Jr., who is averaging 14 points per game this season, is also out with a groin strain.
Toronto is moderatley banged up, with Jakob Poeltl (ankle) and Otto Porter Jr. (knee) still out. Gary Trent Jr. (illness) and Gradey Dick (thumb) are questionable.
Betting trends
- The over is 5-1 in Toronto’s last six games.
- Toronto is 4-1 ATS in its past five meetings with Miami.
- The under is 5-0 in Miami’s last five road games.
Player prop trends
- Adebayo has cleared his line for rebounds + assists in four straight games. He’s -120 to record over 16.5 rebounds + assists in this one and is averaging 19 per game during that span.
- Kyle Lowry has been a sneaky play to exceed his rebounding total recently. The former Raptor is -150 to grab over 2.5 rebounds, a mark he’s exceeded in four of his last five games.
- As previously mentioned, Barrett is experiencing a scoring surge since joining the Raptors. The bet365 sportsbook doesn’t have a points line posted for the Canadian as of Wednesday morning, but it will likely fall between around 18.5 points, a mark he’s easily eclipsed in four of his last five games. Check back later for odds.
Wagers to consider
- Raptors team total under 112.5 points: -110. The Heat have held their opponents to under 100 points in three consecutive games (96 vs. Orlando, 87 vs. Charlotte and 95 at Brooklyn). Additionally, the Raptors are coming off a poor shooting performance on Monday, only managing to put up 96 points against the Celtics.
- Barrett’s point total isn’t posted yet, but consider playing the over assuming it’s around 18.5 points later in the day. He’s shooting a blistering 59.7% from the field over his last five games.
- Heat moneyline: -130. According to Charania, trade talks with the Pacers regarding Siakam have “gained steam in recent days” and they’re “far long in the process” of getting a deal done. This is no doubt going to be a distraction for Siakam and the Raptors on Wednesday, and there’s a chance this deal gets done before tipoff, which would make Miami an even bigger favourite if Siakam is scratched. Lock in the Heat now to win the game outright to make sure you’re getting the best odds.
