Raps count on home bonus!

The Toronto Raptors host the men from Miami at Scotiabank Arena. The teams are neighbours in the Eastern Conference standings and direct rivals in the battle for the postseason in the East. The ingredients for a thrilling battle are therefore well in place!

Toronto Raptors – Statistics & current form

Toronto picked up two home wins recently, but the tasks were not too difficult with last-place teams in the East Detroit and eleventh-place Washington. The Raptors now have a different calibre of opponent in Miami.

Head coach Nick Nurse’s team, however, can rely on its own home strength: Only four teams in the East have a higher win percentage in front of their own fans than Toronto’s 64.1 per cent.

Miami Heat – Statistics & current form

Miami have been unusually weak defensively of late. In their most recent loss to the Brooklyn Nets, the Florida franchise allowed 129 points to opponents, and before that they allowed an impressive 120 points in their win over the New York Knicks.

Normally, head coach Erik Spoelstra’s team is much stronger defensively: the average value of opponents’ points per game is just under 110 and only the Cavaliers from Cleveland undercut this balance in the NBA by about three points less.

Toronto Raptors – Miami Heat Tip

For the duel between the Toronto Raptors and Miami Heat, the tip and odds on a home win are worth a recommendation. The home side are strong at home and are desperate for a win in front of their own crowd against a direct rival in the battle for the playoffs.

In addition, Miami have been less defensively strong of late. On top of that, Spoelstra’s team’s trips to Toronto have not been very successful in the recent past: the visitors have won only one of their last four matches.