Who's Playing
Matchup: Toronto Raptors vs. Miami Heat
Records: Raptors (5-8), Heat (5-7)
Where to Watch
Date: Wednesday, Jan. 20
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
TV: SN One
Location: Amalie Arena, Tampa, FL
Game Preview
The Raptors have been playing good ball for a little while and now they finally have some wins to show for it. Toronto is working on a three-game win streak and in those victories, they're looking more like the team we've come to know over the last couple of years. Good offence and solid defence.
In the three wins, the Raptors are scoring 114.3 points per 100 possessions. Shots are falling, and their ball movement seems to be back. 84 of their 120 made baskets over the last three games have been assisted. Kyle Lowry and Fred VanVleet have led that charge dishing out 25 and 24 assists over the last three contests respectively.
On the other end of the floor, how about the job Stanley Johnson did on Luka Doncic? Johnson downplayed his efforts in Monday's win, but the reality is his ability to defend has been the reason Nick Nurse has felt comfortable giving him the extra playing time. With Johnson on the floor this season, the Raptors are giving up 103.1 points per 100 possessions according to NBA Stats. With him off the floor, that number jumps to 110.8 points per 100 possessions. It's early in the season and those numbers don't tell the whole story, but it's evident on a game-to-game basis that Johnson is much more engaged defensively than he was a season ago. It also seems like he understands the system way more than he did last year. Small positives for the Raptors to build off of.
Miami has struggled this season at just 5-7. Only Duncan Robinson and rookie Precious Achiuwa have appeared in all 12 games for the Heat. Jimmy Butler has been out due to COVID-19 protocols. Meyers Leonard has a shoulder injury that has kept him sidelined. Tyler Herro and Goran Dragic are listed as day-to-day with a neck and foot injury, respectively. It's been tough going for the Heat who had high expectations coming into the season.
On the bright side, Bam Adebayo is taking his game to the next level. Adebayo is averaging a career-high 19.5 points, 9.0 rebounds, 5.1 assists while shooting 64.5 (!) percent from the field. The confidence Adebayo is playing with bodes well for the Heat.
Seeing Adebayo and Pascal Siakam go toe-to-toe over the next two games should be intriguing to watch.
Injury Report
Raptors
- Patrick McCaw (Left Knee rehabilitation) - Out
Heat
- Jimmy Butler (Covid-19 protocols) — Out
- Meyers Leonard (shoulder) — Out
- Gabe Vincent (knee) — Day-to-day
- Tyler Herro (neck) — Day-to-day
- Goran Dragic (foot) — Day-to-day
Raptors vs. Hornets Predictions
Carlan Gay (@TheCarlanGay): Toronto is back to playing Toronto-like basketball. This is a game they should and will win. Miami just has too many injuries and haven't been able to show what we saw from them in the bubble because of it. I do expect this to be a lower scoring, grind-it-out type of game. Miami isn't afraid to play zone and we've seen the Raptors struggle to score against the zone in the past.
Raptors vs. Heat: Betting odds, spread, over/under
Spread: Raptors -4.0 (-110), Heat +4.0 (-110)
Raptors Moneyline: -175
Heat Moneyline: +155
Over/Under: 220.0 (-110)
*Odds courtesy of William Hill Sports Book
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