Heat vs Raptors Odds, Picks, and Predictions Tonight: Herro Stays Hot for Heat

The chatter about the possibility of a Pascal Siakam trade hit a new level yesterday, as it was reported the Toronto Raptors were in active trade talks with the Indiana Pacers for the All-Star forward’s services. But until someone pulls the trigger, Siakam and the Raptors will have to focus on what’s in front of them. And on Wednesday night, that’s the Miami Heat.

The Heat and greatest Raptor of all time — Kyle Lowry — will be looking for their fourth straight win. The excitement from the Raptors' last trade has worn off a little, as they have lost four in a row heading into tonight’s matchup. 

If Toronto wants to end this slide it will have to pull off an upset, as the NBA odds have them as slight home underdogs. But will Miami have too much firepower for a struggling Raptors defense to contain?

I break down this Eastern Conference matchup and bring you the best bet in my NBA picks and predictions for Heat vs. Raptors on Wednesday, January 17.

Heat vs Raptors odds

Heat vs Raptors predictions

Since the Toronto Raptors traded OG Anunoby to the New York Knicks for RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley, they have been a much more entertaining basketball team. They now have multiple guys who can shoot and handle the basketball. Simply put, they are more fun to watch.

Unfortunately, after a solid start, that hasn’t resulted in as many wins as the team would have liked. After winning three of their first four following the trade, the Raptors have now lost four in a row entering tonight’s matchup vs. the Miami Heat.

Now, some of that can be attributed to a long road trip. And some to some controversial officiating. But the bottom line is that with the new makeup of this roster, the Raptors are not a very good defensive team.

Toronto has the third-worst defensive rating in the NBA in the eight games since the trade, surrendering a whopping 124.1 points per game over that stretch. But where the Raptors have really struggled is on the perimeter. 

The Raptors rank 27th in opponent 3-point shooting percentage and next-to-last in opponent-made 3s per game, giving up 16.3 per contest in this period. And even though the Heat aren’t exactly an offensive juggernaut, they definitely have a sharpshooter or two.

I’m looking at you, Tyler Herro.

The Heat shooting guard came flying out of the gates this season, but an ankle injury cost him 18 games. Suffice it to say, Herro has his shooting rhythm back. The 23-year-old is putting up 22.3 points per game over his last 12 games while hitting 42.6% of his 8.4 3-point attempts per game over that stretch.

Yes, the Heat don’t do a ton of scoring, but when they do a large percentage of it is thanks to Herro, who has hit four or more 3s eight times in his last 12 games. That includes hitting four in each of his last two games. I’m betting on the Tyler Herro odds that he keeps the hot hand going and backing him to go Over his made 3s prop at decent plus money.

My best bet: Tyler Herro Over 3.5 3s (+115 at PointsBet)

Heat vs Raptors same-game parlay

Tyler Herro Over 3.5 3s

Kyle Lowry Over 2.5 rebounds

Pascal Siakam Over 6.5 rebounds

+650  at PointsBet

As always, our same-game parlay tips off with my best bet, which for this Eastern Conference clash is Tyler Herro to drain four or more 3-pointers. But we can’t talk about a Heat-Raptors game without getting the "GROAT" involved.

Kyle Lowry is not the player he once was, but the crafty veteran still makes himself useful. Lowry is averaging 8.7 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 3.7 rebounds per game this season, and I want to focus on the rebounding.

The 37-year-old point guard has always been an underrated rebounder and has grabbed three or more boards in each of his last five games. Yet his rebounding prop for this matchup is sitting at 2.5. Let’s add the Over.

And we’ve got to touch on Pascal Siakam. Those trade talks won’t diminish his effort level. Siakam has been hearing trade rumors for the better part of two years and has always given his all, and he gets a good matchup on the glass against the Heat.

Outside of Bam Adebayo, Miami isn’t an overly big team and ranks just 20th in rebounding rate. Pascal averages 6.3 rebounds per game, but with this matchup I like him to go Over 6.5 boards in this matchup.

Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.

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Heat vs Raptors spread and Over/Under analysis

The line opened with the Raptors as 1.5-point home underdogs and has spent the day bouncing back and forth between that and 2.5.

This game will come down to whether the Raptors new-look offense can be successful vs. Jimmy Butler and this Miami Heat defense. The Heat rank ninth in the Association when it comes to defensive rating and they are also strong on the perimeter, ranking eighth in opponent 3-point shooting percentage, which is where the Raps do a lot of their damage these days.

I’m staying away from the spread here. Toronto generally plays better at home, but I don’t expect the Raptors to really slow down Butler, Herro, and the rest of the Heat with the current state of their defense. 

However, the defense could lend itself to a play on the Over, which hit the board at 228 and has come down slightly to 227. The Heat rank a ho-hum 19th in offensive rating but should get a boost against this Raptors defense. Butler is healthy, and Bam is always a problem. The Heat should get some buckets here tonight. A slight lean to the Over here for me.

Heat vs Raptors betting trend to know

The Over is 6-2 in the eight games since the Raptors traded for RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley. Find more NBA betting trends for Heat vs. Raptors.

Heat vs Raptors game info

Heat vs Raptors latest injuries

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