Toronto Raptors at Miami Heat
Saturday, 1/22/11, 7:30 PM EDT
Opening Point Spread: Miami -12.5
Current Betting Line: Miami -13
Opening Total: 201
Current Total: 200.5
Toronto has officially matched a season high with six straight losses after dropping a 112-72 contest in Orlando last night and has fallen short in its last five road contests. “We’re playing bad,” said center Andrea Bargnani. “After every game it seems like we played worse. We have to find a way to stop this and play better.” The Raptors are really struggling and many NBA experts believe that injuries have been the key factor, playing without Leandro Barbosa, Sonny Weems and Reggie Evans. The team is also suiting up numerous players with nagging injuries, including Bargnani, Jerryd Bayless, Jose Calderon, Linas Kleiza and Amir Johnson. Toronto is 27-12 ATS as a road underdog of 12.5 or more points and is currently over that number on the NBA lines page for Saturday’s game.
The Raptors lost 109-100 at Miami on November 13, 2010, which was the third straight loss in the series at tonight’s venue. Toronto hasn’t lost seven game in a row since March 13, 2009. The team’s 40-point loss to Orlando last night equaled the worst beating in franchise history, with the first instance coming during the franchise’s inaugural 1995-96 season. Calderon must step up his game at the point in order for this team to return to the win column, as he’s been held scoreless in two of the last three games, but still has managed to have at least nine assists in 13 of 15 games.
Miami has had three days off to stew over a four-game losing streak and the team’s record is now 30-13 overall, including a 15-5 home mark. “When you don’t understand why you’re losing, now you’re in trouble,” said guard Dwyane Wade. “We understand why. This is about us correcting it. That’s what the good teams have done.” Despite the recent struggles, the Heat still managed to reel off 21 wins in a 22-game span before the recent slide and injuries to all members of the Big Three have played a part. LeBron James and Wade are both expected in the lineup tonight, but Chris Bosh has been listed as out for a second straight game. Miami is 6-13 ATS at home on the year.
The Heat and Raptors will be meeting for the second of four match-ups this season, with the two clubs splitting last season’s series, 2-2, with each team winning on their home courts. Miami is 34-21 all-time versus Toronto in the regular season and is 21-8 in games played in South Beach. Offensively, the team managed to score at least 90 points in 20 consecutive games until suffering a 93-89 overtime loss to Atlanta last time out.
Bettors will be interested in backing the Raptors due to their 4-1 ATS mark on zero days rest, while the Heat are 1-5 ATS as a home favorite.
