Toronto Raptors at Miami Heat NBA Picks & Predictions 12/26/2018

Wednesday, December 26, 2018

American Airlines Arena

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Toronto Raptors travel to American Airlines Arena to play the Miami Heat on Wednesday, December 26, 2018. The opening line for this matchup has Toronto as 5 point favorites.

The Raptors have a record of 25-10. They are 1st in the Atlantic Division. They have a point differential of 6.7 as they average 114.3 points per game while giving up 107.6 per contest. The Heat have an overall record of 16-16 this season. They are 2nd in the Southeast Division. They average 106.5 points per game and surrender 106.3, good for a point differential of 0.2.

Valuable Toronto Raptors Betting Trends

The Toronto Raptors are 16-19-0 against the spread

The Toronto Raptors are 20-15-0 against the over/under

Important Miami Heat Betting Trends

The Miami Heat are 18-14-0 against the spread

The Miami Heat are 16-15-0 against the over/under

Key Toronto Raptors Injuries

12/23/18 F Serge Ibaka Knee is questionable Wednesday vs Miami12/14/18 C Jonas Valanciunas Thumb is out 4-6 weeks11/06/18 SF Norman Powell Shoulder is out indefinitely

Key Miami Heat Injuries

12/23/18 G Rodney McGruder Illness is questionable Wednesday vs Toronto12/19/18 PG Goran Dragic Knee is out indefinitely10/11/18 G Dion Waiters Ankle is out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

Kyle Lowry averages 14.4 points per game in 34.1 minutes per contest. He averages 9.8 assists per contest and 4.5 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 43% for the year while his free throw percentage is 85%. Kawhi Leonard comes into this contest averaging 26.8 points per game while playing 35.0 minutes per night. He pulls down 8.4 rebounds per game and dishes out 3.1 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 50% while his free throw percentage is at 85%.

Player Spotlight

Josh Richardson averages 18.5 points per game and he sees the court an average of 35.0 minutes per contest. He also averages 4.1 rebounds per contest and 3.6 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 41% and his free throw percentage is 85%. Hassan Whiteside averages 13.1 points per game while playing 26.5 minutes per contest. He grabs 13.2 rebounds per game and has 0.9 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 51% and his free throw percentage is at 45%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Raptors allow 107.6 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 9th in the league. They also allow a 45% shooting percentage and a 34% average from behind the arc, ranking them 7th and 4th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 44.4 rebounds a game which ranks 14th, and they give up 24.2 assists per contest which puts them in 18th place in the league. They force 14.5 turnovers per game which ranks them 20th in the league. Toronto averages 114.3 points per contest this season, which ranks them 7th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 6.7 and their shooting percentage is 48% as a team, which has them ranked 2nd. Behind the arc they shoot 34% which is good for 24th in the league. They average 45.4 rebounds per game and 24.5 assists per contest, which ranks them 14th and 13th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 22nd with 13.5 per game.

Useful Team Statistics

The Heat surrender 106.3 points per contest, which ranks them 7th in the NBA. Their defense allows a 44% shooting percentage and a 36% average from 3-point range, ranking them 3rd and 18th in those defensive statistics. They rank 2nd with 21.8 assists allowed per contest, and 18th with 45.2 rebounds surrendered per game. The Heat are 13th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 13.8 per game. Miami is 24th in the league with 106.5 points per game this year. They are 30th in the league in shooting at 43%, while their average scoring margin is 0.2. They shoot 36% from 3-point range, which is good for 10th in the NBA. They are 4th in the league in rebounding with 47.9 boards per game and 22nd in assists per contest with 22.8. The Heat are 10th in turnovers per game with 14.6.

Advanced Statistics

The Raptors are 2nd in the league in defensive rating with 107.4, and their offensive rating of 114.1 is ranked 9th. They are 17th in the NBA in pace with 99.3 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 54% is 3rd. As a unit they are 4th in the league in true shooting percentage with 58% and they shoot 3-pointers on 37% of their shot attempts, ranking 9th in the NBA. Toronto is 22nd in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.7 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 51%, which is 25th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Miami is 10th in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.7 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.4 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 50%, which is 27th in the NBA. The Heat are 23rd in the league in defensive rating with 107.2, and their offensive rating of 107.4 is ranked 8th. They are 21st in the NBA in pace with 98.8 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 50% is 27th. As a unit they are 30th in the league in true shooting percentage with 53% and they shoot 3-pointers on 38% of their shot attempts, ranking 8th in the NBA.

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

Tony's Pick: Take Toronto -5

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