I was correct on my last Raptors free betting prediction as the Raptors (-9.5) cruised to a 113-99 win at Minnesota on April 1st. I am now 31-30 in Raptors free betting predictions. Tonight the 47-32 Toronto Raptors head down south to Miami to take on the 35-44 Heat.
(47-32) Toronto Raptors @ (35-44) Miami Heat
Probable starting line-ups:
Toronto – PG – Kyle Lowry SG – DeMar DeRozan C – Jonas Valanciunas SF – Terrence Ross PF – Tyler Hansbrough
Miami – PG – Goran Dragic SG – Dwyane Wade C – Hassan Whiteside SF – Luol Deng PF – Udonis Haslem
Stats Leaders:
Toronto – PPG – DeMar DeRozan 20.1 RPG – Jonas Valanciunas 8.8 APG – Kyle Lowry 6.9
Miami – PPG – Dwyane Wade 21.3 RPG – Hassan Whiteside 9.8 APG – Dwyane Wade 4.8
Team Scoring: (with league ranking in parentheses)
Toronto – PF – 104.2 (4th) PA – 101.1 (21st)
Miami – PF – 94.4 (28th) PA – 97.2 (7th)
Overview:
The Toronto Raptors have won 2 straight games. Last night they held on for a 101-99 win at Orlando. Shooting guard DeMar DeRozan led the team with 29 points on 10 of 21 shooting in 37 minutes. He was 3 of 5 from the 3 point line and 6 of 6 from the free throw line. He also had 5 assists. Power forward Tyler Hansbrough finished with 16 points and 7 rebounds. He was 7 of 12 from the field in 36 minutes. Backup shooting guard Louis Williams netted 13 points on 5 of 15 shooting in 27 minutes. He was 3 of 7 from the 3 point line. Point guard Kyle Lowry chipped in with 10 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists. He was 4 of 12 from the field in 33 minutes. The team shot 41.5% from the field, 30% from the 3 point line (9-30), and 93.3% from the free throw line (14-15). The Raptors and Magic were even on the glass with 46 rebounds each. Williams nailed a 3 with 9 seconds left to seal the win for the team. Toronto is 21-18 on the road this season. Tonight is the 2nd game of a back to back. They are 9-8 in the 2nd game of a back to back this season. Tonight is also the 3rd game of a 4 game road trip. Their next game is Tuesday at Boston.
The Miami Heat have lost 5 of their last 6 games. On Thursday they were defeated 89-78 at home versus the Chicago Bulls. Center Hassan Whiteside led the way with a double-double as he scored 19 points and grabbed 16 rebounds. He was 9 of 15 from the field in 38 minutes. Point guard Goran Dragic netted 15 points on 7 of 16 shooting in 33 minutes. Backup small forward Michael Beasley chipped in with 13 points on 5 of 8 shooting in 19 minutes off the bench. He was 3 of 4 from the 3 point line. Shooting guard Dwyane Wade had a horrid shooting night as he was 4 of 20 from the field for 9 points in 38 minutes. Small forward Luol Deng contributed with 8 points and 8 rebounds. He was 3 of 13 from the field in 36 minutes. The team shot 38.6% from the field, 27.8% from the 3 point line (5-18), and 71.4% from the free throw line (5-7). They were out-rebounded 51-46 in the contest. The Heat had a 51-32 halftime lead but were outscored 33-8 in the 3rd period and only managed to score 27 2nd half points. Miami is 19-20 at home this season. Tonight is the 3rd game of a 4 game home stand. Their next game is Monday at home versus the Orlando Magic.
Toronto and Miami split their first 2 meetings this season. On November 2nd the Heat grabbed a 107-102 home win, on March 13th the Raptors notched a 102-92 victory at home. Tonight is the final meeting of the season between the 2 teams.
Prediction:
The Raptors are battling with the Bulls for the 3rd seed in the Eastern Conference but this game is even more important for Miami as they basically have to win their remaining 3 games and get help in order to make the playoffs. Take the Heat -3.5 (1.90) (Bet365)
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