Toronto Raptors vs Miami Heat Betting Pick & Prediction 12/12/24

At 7:30 ET, the Miami Heat (-534) will host the Toronto Raptors (+402) in an Eastern Conference matchup. Miami is currently favored by 10.5 points, and the over/under line is set at 224.

The Heat (12-10) have won three straight games and are currently 5th in the Eastern Conference. On the other hand, the Raptors (7-18) have lost three straight and are 14th in the East.

TORONTO RAPTORS VS MIAMI HEAT BETTING PICK

The Pick: Miami Heat -10.5

This game will be played at Kaseya Center at 7:30 ET on Thursday, December 12th.

WHY BET THE MIAMI HEAT:

• We have this one finishing with a projected score of 137-113 in favor of the Heat.
• Our projections have Tyler Herro finishing with 21 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists.
• From the field, we have the Heat finishing with a field goal percentage of 46.3% and knocking down 16 threes.

Do the Raptors Stand a Chance on the Road?

Toronto’s season record dropped to 7-18 after a 113-108 home loss to the Knicks on Monday. The Raptors, who were +7.5 point underdogs, managed to cover the spread. The game’s total of 221 points fell short of the 231.5-point O/U line.

A 13-0 run helped Toronto take the lead, but they couldn’t hold on, as the Knicks outscored them 30-22 in the 4th quarter to seal the win.

RJ Barrett led the Raptors with 30 points and 8 rebounds in their 113-108 loss to the Knicks, shooting 54.2% from the field and hitting 3 threes at 42.9%. Ja’Kobe Walter added 19 points, also connecting on 3 threes at 42.9%, while Scottie Barnes contributed 15 points, making 3 threes at 37.5%.

As a team, the Raptors made 13 threes, shooting 37.1% from beyond the arc, though their overall field goal percentage was 44.8%. Barrett scored 9 points in the 2nd quarter, while Walter added 10 of his 19 points in the same period.

Defensively, the Raptors struggled in the 1st and 4th quarters, giving up 34 and 30 points, respectively, in their 113-108 loss to the Knicks. They did manage to tighten up in the middle quarters, allowing just 26 points in the 2nd and 23 in the 3rd.

Toronto allowed the Knicks to shoot 51% from the field, including 42% from three-point range, where New York hit 17 threes. The Raptors sent the Knicks to the line 19 times, where they made 12 free throws. On the boards, Toronto gave up 6 offensive rebounds while recording 4 steals and 4 blocks.

Will the Heat Win at Home?

Miami improved to 12-10 on the season with a 122-113 win over the Cavaliers on Sunday. The Heat were +2.5 point underdogs heading into the game but covered the spread with the win. The total score of 235 points exceeded the O/U line of 222.5 by 12.5 points.

After a slow start, where Cleveland went on a 10-0 run, Miami responded by outscoring the Cavs 38-26 in the 2nd quarter. They extended their lead to 90-80 going into the 4th, and while Cleveland edged Miami 33-32 in the final quarter, the Heat’s strong 2nd and 3rd quarters were enough to secure the win.

Tyler Herro’s 34-point performance, including 19 in the 3rd quarter, led the Heat to a 122-113 win over the Cavaliers. Herro hit 5 threes at a 55.6% rate, while Duncan Robinson added 23 points, connecting on 4 threes at 66.7%.

Miami made 16 threes, shooting 43.2% from deep and 47.7% overall. Dru Smith contributed all 11 of his points in the 4th quarter, and Terry Rozier added 6 of his 14 points in the final period.

Even with a 33-point 4th quarter, the Heat’s defense gave up 113 points but still secured the win over the Cavaliers. Miami allowed 25 points in the 1st quarter and 26 in the 2nd before Cleveland scored 29 in the 3rd.

Miami’s defense struggled from beyond the arc, with Cleveland hitting 14 threes at a 42% rate. The Cavaliers also went 17/18 from the free-throw line. The Heat grabbed 37 defensive rebounds, allowing just 5 offensive boards, and added 4 steals and 4 blocks.