Steve Starr
- Go to BetOnline or Bovada for the latest odds on the Raptors vs Heat matchup
- 2022 Rookie of the Year Scottie Barnes returned to Toronto’s lineup in Sunday’s win over Washington
- The Eastern Conference clash tips off from Scotiabank Arena at 7:30pm ET on Tuesday, March 28th
Miami (40-35) heads to Toronto (37-38) for a potential NBA play-in tournament preview. The Heat could have taken sole possession of sixth in the East on Saturday, but were blown out by the Nets 129-100. Meanwhile, the Raptors sit a half-game ahead of the Bulls for ninth in the conference following consecutive home victories over the Wizards and Pistons.
Before we break down the matchup and make our picks, check out our guide to betting on the 2023 NBA Finals and our tips for betting on the NBA.
Raptors vs Heat
 | Spread | Money Line | Total Points |
| Miami Heat | +2.5 (-110) | TBD | Ov 218.5 (-110) |
| Toronto Raptors | -2.5 (-110) | TBD | Un 218.5 (-110) |
Heat run hot and cold
Miami followed up an impressive 127-120 win over the Knicks with a dispiriting home loss to the Nets on Saturday. The win kept Brooklyn ahead of the Heat in sixth place in the Eastern Conference with only seven games left to play. Jimmy Butler was held to just 18 points after scorching the New York for 35 last Wednesday. The 33-year-old also struggled in his last outing to Canada, managing just 13 points in a 112-104 loss back in November. Toronto currently leads the season series 2-1.
Kyle Lowry should receive a big ovation in Scotiabank Arena after helping the franchise to its first and only NBA Championship in 2019. The 37-year-old has battled injuries all year, but is averaging 10 points, 4.2 assists and 3.4 rebounds since re-entering the lineup six games ago.
Happy 37th birthday to Toronto Raptors legend Kyle Lowry. 🦖🏆
(🎥: @Raptors)pic.twitter.com/xSG975aTac
— theScore (@theScore) March 25, 2023
Raptors finish home stand
Nick Nurse’s club is locked into a spot in the play-in tournament and will need to win two games to officially qualify for the postseason. After missing two contests with a wrist injury, Scottie Barnes returned to the lineup against Washington on Sunday. The 2022 Rookie of the Year registered 13 points, five rebounds, six assists and three steals in the 114-104 win.
Both rumored to be dealt at the deadline, OG Anunoby and Fred VanVleet finished with 29 points and 28 points, respectively. Along with 2023 All-Star Pascal Siakim, who is averaging 24.2 points, 7.8 rebounds and 5.9 assists this season, the Raptors could be a tough out in the play-in tournament.
Toronto vs Miami
Toronto is a 2.5-point home favorite on Tuesday night. They have a solid 25-14 record north of the border, covering 60.5% of their games in Scotiabank Arena. The Heat are just 14-21 on the road in 2022-23, covering just 41.2% of the time. They have been downright rude to bettors this season. Miami has the worst record against the spread (27-45-3) in the NBA.
Nick Nurse’s team is 19-12-1 as a home favorite while Eric Spoelstra’s squad is 7-9 as road underdogs. Raptors home games hit the OVER more often than not (53.9%) while Miami road contests heavily skew towards the UNDER (57.1).
WELCOME BACK, SCOTTIE BARNES. 🌪
(🎥: @raptors)pic.twitter.com/nwD7l3HaQ3
— theScore (@theScore) March 26, 2023
Best Bet
Toronto would love to finish their four-game home stand strong before starting a five-game road trip. We like the Raptors to pick up their third home win in a row against a Miami team that has struggled on the road all season.
See below the top sportsbooks where you can wager online and choose the best one for you:
