The Toronto Raptors head to Miami to take on the Heat in Game of the Eastern Conference Semifinals, pitting the fifth-ranked offense against the fourth-ranked defense. Action gets underway at 5:00 pm ET on Saturday, May 7 and will air on ESP and C+D.
The Heat are expecting a different result after their 96-92 loss to the Raptors on Thursday. Hassan Whiteside had a good game in defeat for Miami, recording 13 points and 13 rebounds to earn his 47th double-double of the season.
Half-court execution will be at a premium as the Heat rank 27th in the league in possessions per game (95.1), while the Raptors are 28th (95.0). Also, the Raptors’s fifth-ranked offense (offensive efficiency of 107.1) will face off against the fourth-ranked defense of the Heat (defensive efficiency of 101.7).
The Heat have gone 53-38 Straight Up (SU) and 49-41-1 Against The Spread (ATS). In their last 10 games, they are 3-7 ATS. Teams routinely struggle to score points against the Heat, who allow only 97.7 points per game. Teams have to fight for open shots against the Heat, who have one of the best opponent field-goal percentages in the league at .438.
On the other side, the Raptors head into the game with records of 46-44-1 ATS and 61-30 SU. Against the Eastern Conference, Toronto is 61-30 SU and 46-44-1 ATS. The Raptors are one of the top defensive teams in the league, essentially shutting down opponents to the tune of 97.8 points allowed per game.
The Raptors’ win over Miami in their last clash moved their SU record in the last 10 against Miami to 6-4. At 5-5, they are even ATS.
Predictions: SU Winner – Tor
Notes
“Miami is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games “.
“The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Miami’s last 7 games “.
“Miami is 9-1 ATS in its last 10 games at home”.
“Miami is 9-1 SU in its last 10 games at home”.
“The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Miami’s last 9 games at home”.
“Miami is 18-6 SU in its last 24 games when playing Toronto”.
“Miami is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing Toronto”.
“Miami is 8-14-1 ATS in its last 23 games when playing at home against Toronto”.
Miami puts up an average of 99.9 points per game (ranked 23rd), while Toronto gives up 97.8 points per game (ranked fourth).
Miami ranks 18th in points per home game with 103.6 points, while Toronto ranks second in points allowed on the road with 97.8.
Miami has a solid 41-15 record when it gives up under 100 points this season. Toronto is 17-15 when it puts up under 100.
When allowing 100 or more points in a game, the Heat are just 12-23 this season. Toronto is a winning 44-15 when it reaches the century mark.
The Heat have an offensive rating of 105.1 (ranked 10th). The Raptors rank sixth for their defensive rating of 103.2.
The Miami Heat average 95.1 possessions per game and 1.051 points per possession, while the Toronto Raptors earn fewer possessions (95.0) but more points per possession (1.071).
Ranked 10th in the NBA, Miami has an average effective field goal percentage of 50.8%. Toronto is 19-18 when opponents have a similar or higher effective field goal percentage.
On average, the Miami Heat make 20.5 assists per game and the Toronto Raptors make 18.5. Miami is ranked 24th, while Toronto is ranked 29th.
Miami averages a league-best 6.5 blocks per game. Toronto ranks 11th with 5.4 blocks per game.
Miami is ranked 22nd when it comes to offensive rebounding. Toronto ranks 21st in defensive rebounds.
On average, Miami makes 6.6 steals per game. Toronto has a solid 40-16 record when it allows at least 6 steals.
