Heat Covering as Home Favorites at League Best 69%; Laying 5.5 Points to Raptors

• The Miami Heat put their sparkling home record on the line against the Raptors Thursday, January 2nd
• Toronto has been battling to stay afloat despite a slew of injuries
• See the info you need to bet tonight’s game below

In the absence of Pascal Siakam, Marc Gasol and Norm Powell to injury, the Raptors have been able to keep their head above water in a competitive Eastern Conference, with four wins and three losses.

The Miami Heat, meanwhile, are coming off a dispiriting 18-point defeat at the hands of the Wizards on Monday, but they’ve shown a remarkable ability to shake off a loss this season, winning all eight times after dropping a game this campaign.

Toronto Raptors vs Miami Heat odds have set the home team as 5.5 point favorites to take down the Raps with Miami dominating on home court this season to the tune of a 15-1 record.

Toronto Raptors vs Miami Heat Odds

Odds taken January 2nd

Heat Can’t Be Stopped on Home Court

The only team in the NBA with just one loss at home, Miami’s last three wins there have come by a combined five points vs Philly, Indiana and Utah.

While they’ve won seven of their last eight at American Airlines Arena, Miami has hardly made it easy for themselves.

The Miami Heat are 15-1 at home this season, the only team with 1 home loss in the NBA.

They are 2nd in the East. Third best record overall.

6-0 in overtime this season. pic.twitter.com/PPAQbQqytV

— StatMuse (@statmuse) December 29, 2019

Three of the seven wins have been in overtime, one was by a single point, by three over the Jazz and their only double-digit victory came against the hapless Knicks.

So, are they managing to win tons of home games but getting fortunate W’s that aren’t totally sustainable – or are they just a great team finding ways to win every night?

TYLER HERRO!!!!!!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/Y9LzOen2V8

— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) December 29, 2019

Banged Up Raptors Still Battling

The Toronto Raptors just won’t quit and fold up their tents despite missing considerable chunks of time from key contributors all season, with Siakam, Gasol and Powell all missing their last seven games due to a myriad of injuries.

Kyle Lowry has picked up the slack, leading the team in scoring in five of those contests, and racking up at least 20 points in all but one.

Serge Ibaka has also come up clutch, with five of his six highest point totals this season coming in the absences of his aforementioned teammates.

32 games in.
50 remain.
Toronto is 22-10.

That's in spite of a ton of injuries for the #Raptors:

McCaw: 21 games
Johnson: 17
Thomas: 17
Lowry: 11
Ibaka: 10
VanVleet: 5
Gasol: 5 *and counting
Powell: 5 *
Siakam: 5 *
Hollis-Jefferson: 3

Not sure how you can't be impressed.#nba

— Eric Smith (@Eric__Smith) December 29, 2019

The last three Raptor games haven’t reached the over, but they’ve been solid with seven wins against the spread in the last ten – so even though they’ve lost three of five overall, they’re still money makers in other ways for bettors.

What’s the Best Bet?

The Raptors have won three of their last four in Miami but did lose at home to the Heat in overtime last month, 121-110.

Miami simply doesn’t lose on home court – but they’ve not been dominant against the spread recently, losing their last four. A fair assumption would be a close battle with Miami winning the game, but the Raptors covering the spread.

Pick: Miami Heat ML (-225), TOR +5.5 (-105)