Toronto Raptors vs. Miami Heat - 1/2/20 NBA Picks, Odds, and Prediction

Game: Toronto Raptors vs Miami Heat

Date: Thursday, January 2, 2020

Location: American Airlines Arena in Miami, FL

TV: Fox Sports Sun

Odds/Point Spread: Miami -5

Total/Over-Under: 216

American Airlines Arena is the site where Jimmy Butler and the Miami Heat (24-9, 1st in the Southeast Division) will play the Toronto Raptors (23-11, 2nd in the Atlantic Division) on Thursday. Toronto opens this matchup as 5 point underdogs. The O/U opens at 216.

The Raptors cover the spread 58.8% of the time, having gone 20-14-0 ATS. Miami covers the spread 61.3% of the time, going 19-12-2 against the spread.

Key Toronto Raptors Injuries

12/30/2020 Marc Gasol C Hamstring Expected to be out until at least Jan 2
12/30/2020 Norman Powell SG Shoulder Expected to be out until at least Jan 2
12/25/2020 Dewan Hernandez C Ankle Expected to be out until at least Jan 2
12/25/2020 Pascal Siakam PF Groin Expected to be out until at least Jan 2
12/20/2020 Matt Thomas SG Finger Expected to be out until at least Jan 4

Key Miami Heat Injuries

12/31/2020 Justise Winslow SF Back Game Time Decision
12/31/2020 James Johnson PF Illness Game Time Decision

Player Spotlight

OG Anunoby averages 11.0 points per game in 29.6 minutes per contest. He averages 1.6 assists per contest and 5.8 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 50% for the year while his free throw percentage is 63%. Fred VanVleet comes into this contest averaging 18.0 points per game while playing 36.2 minutes per night. He pulls down 3.9 rebounds per game and dishes out 6.9 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 39% while his free throw percentage is at 87%.

Player Spotlight

Bam Adebayo averages 15.6 points per game and he sees the court an average of 34.4 minutes per contest. He also averages 10.6 rebounds per contest and 4.6 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 56% and his free throw percentage is 69%. Jimmy Butler averages 20.8 points per game while playing 35.4 minutes per contest. He grabs 6.6 rebounds per game and has 6.6 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 43% and his free throw percentage is at 83%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Raptors allow 105.9 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 8th in the league. They also allow a 42% shooting percentage and a 33% average from behind the arc, ranking them 2nd and 2nd in those defensive categories. Opponents average 47.3 rebounds a game which ranks 27th, and they give up 25.0 assists per contest which puts them in 23rd place in the league. They force 16.4 turnovers per game which ranks them 29th in the league. Toronto averages 111.5 points per contest this season, which ranks them 13th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 5.6 and their shooting percentage is 45% as a team, which has them ranked 19th. Behind the arc they shoot 38% which is good for 4th in the league. They average 46.1 rebounds per game and 25.1 assists per contest, which ranks them 11th and 10th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 15th with 15.2 per game.

Useful Team Statistics

The Heat surrender 108.2 points per contest, which ranks them 12th in the NBA. Their defense allows a 45% shooting percentage and a 33% average from 3-point range, ranking them 11th and 3rd in those defensive statistics. They rank 18th with 24.2 assists allowed per contest, and 2nd with 41.5 rebounds surrendered per game. The Heat are 12th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 14.7 per game. Miami is 10th in the league with 112.4 points per game this year. They are 5th in the league in shooting at 47%, while their average scoring margin is 4.2. They shoot 39% from 3-point range, which is good for 2nd in the NBA. They are 15th in the league in rebounding with 45.6 boards per game and 9th in assists per contest with 25.1. The Heat are 2nd in turnovers per game with 16.5.

Advanced Statistics

The Raptors are 13th in the league in defensive rating with 104.4, and their offensive rating of 109.9 is ranked 3rd. They are 14th in the NBA in pace with 100.5 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 53% is 10th. As a unit they are 7th in the league in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 41% of their shot attempts, ranking 7th in the NBA. Toronto is 14th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.4 times per 100 possessions while forcing 14.1 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 49%, which is 29th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Miami is 2nd in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 14.7 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 52%, which is 17th in the league. The Heat are 8th in the NBA in offensive rating with 111.5, and their defensive rating of 107.3 is ranked 13th. In terms of pace they are 22nd in the league with 99 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 55% is 2nd. As a team they are 2nd in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 59% and they shoot 3-pointers on 39% of their shots, ranking 11th in the league.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Toronto +5

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