The Raptors travel to South Beach to play the Heat on Thursday night (7:30 p.m. ET, SN). Toronto will be looking to snap its three-game losing streak and bag its fourth win in eight games, while Miami is shooting for its fourth straight victory.
The Sporting News has you covered with the NBA odds for this Eastern Conference clash, as well as some best bets and top props from the BetMGM online sportsbook.
This will mark the third time these teams have faced off since Thanksgiving. The Heat beat Toronto 121-111 in an NBA Cup group stage game in Miami on Nov. 29, then the Raptors beat the Heat 119-116 two days later in Canada.
The injury-ravaged Raps absorbed another big blow on Monday when franchise player Scottie Barnes sustained an ankle injury against the Knicks. Barnes leads the team in assists and ranks second on the squad in scoring and rebounding, despite playing just 14 of 25 games on the season.
Still, this should be a good game. Here are the odds for this Thursday night tilt, as well as our final score prediction, best bets and top props.
Raptors vs. Heat odds, pick against spread
All odds and props are from BetMGM, an authorized gaming operator of the NBA.
- ATS: Heat -4.5 (-110) | Raptors +4.5 (-110)
- Moneyline: Heat -220 | Raptors +175
- Over/under: O 228.5 (-110) | U 228.5 (-110)
Darko Rajaković’s squad has a 7-18 record, but an almost polar opposite 17-8 record against the spread. That 68-percent cover rate is the third-best in the NBA this season.
Raptors vs. Heat best bets and final score prediction
The Barnes injury couldn’t have been worse timing for the Raptors. Things were starting to look better for Toronto, with three wins in four games around the November-December calendar turn. Now, with Barnes back on the shelf in a tough road matchup with the Heat, Rajakovic’s team is in danger of losing a fourth consecutive game.
Miami, in stark contrast, could win its fourth in a row. Not just any Ws, either — we’re talking wins over the Lakers, Suns and Cavs! Tyler Herro has been smoldering hot, really benefiting from Erik Spoelstra moving Terry Rozier from the starting lineup to the bench.
Duncan Robinson has been shooting well, too, and Bam Adebayo continues to be a constant double-double threat. And Jimmy Butler — despite swirling trade rumors — has been as dependable as ever.
The Raptors simply don’t have enough firepower — or enough defense — to keep the Heat in check right now. Immanuel Quickley is still hurt, too, so Toronto’s two best playmakers are inactive. That puts too much offensive pressure on RJ Barrett, while Jakob Poeltl will likely struggle with Adebayo on the block. Lay the points and take the Heat at home.
FINAL SCORE PREDICTION: Heat 122, Raptors 108 — The Heat win and easily cover, and the total goes just OVER the projected total of 228.5.
Raptors vs. Pacers top player prop bet
Bam Adebayo OVER 26.5 points + rebounds (-110)
Adebayo has been sizzling down low, putting up double-double after double-double. He’s averaging 24.5 points + rebounds per game over Miami’s past five contests, and we don’t expect him to lose much steam on Thursday against the Raptors. Bam has averaged 13 points and 15 boards per game against Toronto this season, and we like him to keep the carnage up against Jakob Poeltl and company.
