The Toronto Raptors (17-13) and Miami Heat (15-14) will face off in the NBA tonight. Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET from the Kaseya Center in Miami, Fla. The game will be broadcast live on FDSSUN.
The Heat are 5.5-point favorites over the Raptors on the spread (Heat -5.5), with the over/under set at 228.5 total points. Miami is a -210 to win outright on the moneyline, while Toronto is +175 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Raptors vs. Heat predictions and NBA picks for Tuesday, December 23.
Raptors vs Heat Prediction, Picks
- Raptors vs Heat pick: Scottie Barnes Over 14.5 Rebounds & Assists (-115)
My Heat vs Raptors best bet is on Scottie Barnes to record over 14.5 rebound and assists, with the best price currently available at bet365. But as always, make sure to find the best odds by checking our live NBA odds page.
Raptors vs Heat Odds
| Raptors Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+5.5 -110 | 228.5 -110o / -110u | +175 |
| Heat Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-5.5 -110 | 228.5 -110o / -110u | -210 |
Raptors vs Heat NBA Preview
My play for this matchup is Scottie Barnes over 14.5 rebounds plus assists.
I played this prop recently, and it fell short against the Bucks, which was frustrating. Barnes finished with 11 rebounds but only two assists, ending with 13 total.
The main reason to like this spot is the absence of Jakob Poeltl for the Raptors, which directly boosts Barnes’ rebounding opportunities.
In addition, RJ Barrett remains out, and his absence has a clear impact on Barnes’ role.
Without Barrett handling the ball, Barnes has more playmaking responsibility and more chances to generate assists throughout the game.
In this spot, Toronto faces Miami, a team that plays at one of the fastest paces in the league. That creates a clear pace-up opportunity for Barnes.
Miami also gives up a lot of rebounds, in large part because of how fast they play. Even though the Heat do a decent job limiting assists, the pace should still provide a solid natural floor for Barnes’ rebounds-plus-assists production.
Raptors vs Heat Prediction, Betting Analysis
In the four games Barnes has played without both Jakob Poeltl and RJ Barrett, he is averaging 14.3 rebounds plus assists.
Specifically, without Barrett, Barnes is averaging 5.2 assists, compared to roughly 4.9 assists on the season. That uptick reflects increased ball-handling and involvement in the offense.
Given the matchup, the pace, and Barnes’ expanded role, the combo prop makes sense in this spot against the Heat at 14.5 rebounds + assists.
Pick: Scottie Barnes Over 14.5 Rebounds & Assists (-115)
