NBA: Toronto Raptors vs Miami Heat Pick and Predictions 10/24/2022

Game: 7:40 PM ET, Monday, October 24th

Venue:  FTX Arena, Miami, Florida

Where to Watch: NBA League Pass

Raptors: 1-2, 12th place Eastern Conference

Heat: 1-2, 11th place Eastern Conference

DraftKings:  Point Spread: Heat -3.5; O/U 217.5

PointsBet: Point Spread: Heat -3; O/U 217.5

Fanduel: Point Spread: Heat -3.5; O/U 217.5

Raptors: PG Fred Van Vleet, SG Gary Trent JR, SF OG Anunoby, PF Scottie Barnes, C Pascal Siakam

Heat: PG Kyle Lowry, SG Tyler Herro, SF Caleb Martin, PF Jimmy Butler, C Bam Adebayo

An Eastern Conference matchup of last season heavyweights that have started this season slow. The Toronto Raptors spent last season with an unbalanced roster… This year is no different.  They are playing Scottie Barnes at Power Forward when he should be the point guard and Pascal Siakam at Center when he should be the power forward. The Heat are no different.  Last season the Heat were great and made it to the Conference Finals… But the roster still lacks a quality big man and as such they are playing Jimmy Butler at Power Forward.  How did neither GM see the disparity?... Either way both rosters started the season soft and will need to play well to get to where they expect to be.

The Toronto Raptors started the season by beating Cleveland, then losing to Brooklyn, then losing to Miami… and yes they have to play Miami again. The Miami game was a close one 112-109.  It was actually a win ATS for the Raptors… but outside of gamblers, win ATS don’t count toward the postseason if you get the loss.  C Pascal Siakam is still the star of the show with 27.7 and 10.3 on average per night.  It is a shame that they couldn’t find a way for Pascal to play PF.  With an actual Center (a weakness from last season).. Pascal could do all that damage with some help.  PG Fred Van Vleet is also still a mainstay of this team with 8 assist and 3.7 steals per game… everyone who loves basketball loves Fred Van Vleet… he was overlooked and had to earn his way in!  However, the Raptors should be transferring control of this team to Scottie Barnes who is practically a Swiss Army knife in that you can play him anywhere and get some of every stat from him.

The Miami Heat lost to Chicago to start the season, then lost to Boston, then beat the Raptors.  It has been rough to wake up with expectations and turn in losses.  The good thing about being Miami is they are assured when the worm turns.. They will win more than they lose.  They have too much talent.  SF Jimmy Butler is a perennial all-star and one of the best two way players in the NBA. PG Kyle Lowry is a savvy vet who still has gas in the tank. The trick with the Heat is can they get enough offense from SG Tyler Herro on a nightly basis?… also when Duncan Robinson hits the floor from the bench will his shooting lift the team or his lack of defense sink the team?

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The Raptors are 26th in scoring with 107.3 points per game, 27th in rebounds with 39.7 per game, 4th in AST/TO ratio with 2.0, and 21st in blocked shots with 4.3 per game.

The Heat are 23rd in scoring with 108 points per game, 22nd in rebounds with 42 per game, 21st in AST/TO ratio with 1.6, and 30th in blocked shots with 2.3 per game.

Our prediction for Monday, October 24th is…. Heat 107 - Raptors 105

Bet on the Raptors.  The Raptors will keep the game close enough to cover the spread or win outright.

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3 of 4 games in this matchup, in Miami, have gone OVER the last 3 seasons.

Toronto is 176-138 ATS (+24.2) in road games after a road loss since 1996.

Miami is 15-4 UNDER (+10.6 UNITS) in home games after having lost 2 of 3 the last 3 seasons.

Raptors: PF Scottie Barnes.  Scottie is really positionless as he can play anything outside of the 5.  He is also the best young player in the league if you look across the board at every stat he generates.

Heat: SF Jimmy Butler.  The heat goes as Jimmy takes them.  Jimmy is a great two-way player who can score big and get big defensive stops.

Raptors: Nick “yeah?.. I got a ring.” Nurse

Heat: Erik “That’s cute” Spoelstra