Thursday, March 23, 2017

American Airlines Arena

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The Toronto Raptors head to American Airlines Arena to take on the Miami Heat on Thursday, March 23, 2017. The opening line for this game has Toronto as 3 point favorites.

The Raptors come into this game with an overall record of 42-29. They are 2nd in the Atlantic Division. They currently have a point differential of 3.8 as they are averaging 107.1 points per game while giving up 103.3 per contest. The Heat have an overall record of 35-36. They currently are 3rd in the Southeast Division. They are averaging 103.0 points per game and surrendering 102.0, good for a point differential of 1.0.

Valuable Toronto Raptors Betting Trends

The Toronto Raptors are 38-32-1 against the spread

The Toronto Raptors are 38-33-0 against the over/under

Important Miami Heat Betting Trends

The Miami Heat are 44-27-0 against the spread

The Miami Heat are 33-38-0 against the over/under

Key Toronto Raptors Injuries

03/21/17 C Serge Ibaka Suspension expected to miss Thursday vs Miami
03/03/17 PG Kyle Lowry Wrist out indefinitely

Key Miami Heat Injuries

12/27/16 F Josh McRoberts Foot out indefinitely
10/22/16 F Chris Bosh Blood Clot out for season
03/21/17 C Hassan Whiteside Hand injured last game, "?" Thursday vs. Toronto
03/18/17 G Dion Waiters Ankle out indefinitely
01/04/17 F Justise Winslow Shoulder out for season

Player Spotlight

Serge Ibaka comes into this game averaging 15 points per contest while playing 30.8 minutes per night so far this year for the Raptors. He pulls down 6.8 rebounds per contest and dishes out 1.1 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 48% while his free throw percentage is currently at 86%. DeMar DeRozan averages 27 points per game in 35.3 minutes per contest this season. He averages 3.8 assists per contest and 5.4 rebounds per game for Toronto. His field goal percentage is 46% for the year while his free throw percentage is 85%.

Player Spotlight

Goran Dragic averages 20.2 points per game while playing 33.4 minutes per contest this year for the Heat. He grabs 3.9 rebounds per game and has 5.9 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 48% and his free throw percentage currently is at 79%. Hassan Whiteside averages 16.8 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 32.8 minutes per contest. He also averages 14.2 rebounds per contest and 0.7 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 56% and his free throw percentage is 62%.

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Useful Team Statistics

Toronto averages 107.1 points per contest this season which ranks them 10th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 3.82 and their shooting percentage is 46% as a team which has them ranked 12th. Behind the arc they shoot 36% which is good for 15th in the league. They average 43.2 rebounds per game and 18.3 assists per game which ranks them 19th and 30th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 27th with 12.5 per game. The Raptors allow 103.3 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 7th in the league. They also allow a 45% shooting percentage and a 36% average from behind the arc ranking them 11th and 13th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 42.4 rebounds a game which ranks 8th and they give up 22 assists per contest which puts them in 9th place in the league. They force 14.7 turnovers per game which ranks them 21st in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Miami averages 103 points per game this year which ranks them 22nd in the league. Their average scoring margin is 1.01 and their shooting percentage is 46% as a team which has them sitting in the 16th spot in the league. Behind the arc they shoot 37% which is good for 12th in the NBA. They average 44 rebounds per game and 21.3 assists per contest which ranks them 11th and 21st respectively. In the turnover department the Heat rank 21st with 13.4 per game. The Heat allow 102 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 6th in the league. They also allow a 45% shooting percentage and a 35% average from behind the arc ranking them 9th and 7th in those defensive statistics. Opponents average 43.6 rebounds a game which ranks 14th and they give up 19.6 assists per contest which puts them in 2nd place in the league. The Heat force 13.5 turnovers per game which ranks them 12th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

The Raptors have an offensive rating of 112.3 and a defensive rating of 108.3. In terms of pace they average 94.9 possessions per 48 minutes and their effective field goal percentage is 51%. As a team they have a true shooting percentage of 56% and they shoot 3 pointers on 29% of their shots. Toronto turns the ball over an average of 11.5 times per 100 possessions and they force 13.6 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 51%.

Advanced Statistics

The Heat rating on offense is 107.7 and they have a defensive rating of 106.7. They get 95.2 possessions per 48 minutes and they have an effective field goal percentage of 51%. As a unit they have a true shooting percentage of 54% and they attempt 3 pointers on 31% of their shot attempts. Miami turns the ball over on 12.3 out of every 100 possessions and their opponents average 12.4 turnovers per 100 possessions. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the year is 50%.

Who will win tonight's Raptors/Heat NBA game against the spread?

Guy's Pick: Take Toronto -3

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