Gameday: Heat @ Raptors, April 7th

The Toronto Raptors will host the Miami Heat tonight as they look to stay out of the play-in tournament and head back to the playoffs. Toronto is currently in a battle with several eastern conference teams such as the Philadelphia 76ers, the Charlotte Hornets, and the Orlando Magic, for seeding so every one of these final games counts in a big way. Although Miami sits at the 10th seed, their team is nothing to sneeze at, they have plenty of talent, plenty of scoring options, and a bevy of great defenders, so this will be a hard-fought game for Toronto. 

Raptors Outlook

Record: 43-35 | 6th in Eastern Conference
Offensive Rating: 114.5 (16th) | Defensive Rating: 112.3 (8th) | Net Rating: +2.2 (12th)

This is a very winnable game for the Toronto Raptors, but it is high time that Scottie Barnes stepped it up as a scorer. Post All-Star break, Barnes is averaging a mere 15.3 points per game, and his scoring process has been fairly lethargic. To win a game like this, Barnes needs to press the issue as a scorer, whether that be taking it coast to coast, setting screens and rolling, or getting down and dirty in the post, Barnes has to be more involved when it comes to putting points on the board. RJ Barrett has been a reliable source of scoring for Toronto, especially as a cutter and finisher, and they will need that tonight against Miami. 

Miami’s defense is anchored by Bam Adebayo, a wonderfully versatile defender who can switch in and out of actions seamlessly. Toronto needs to scheme him away from the rim by involving him in actions that will trigger a switch, such as hunting Tyler Herro in the pick n’ roll and having Adebayo’s man set the screen. If Bam can be moved away from the paint, it will go a long way in aiding Toronto’s offense. 

Heat Outlook

Record: 41-37 | 10th in Eastern Conference
Offensive Rating: 115.4 (12th) | Defensive Rating: 113.4 (11th) | Net Rating: +2.1 (13th) 

Miami has faced tons of injuries this year, but tonight they have a fairly clean injury report, which means they have all their best scoring options available to them. Norman Powell, who Raptors fans are familiar with can put points up in a hurry, as he is averaging a career-high 22.1 points per game this year. He has a good mix of explosiveness and shooting touch and he is a threat that Toronto has to be zeroed in on throughout the game. Powell can shoot it off the dribble, but if you’re too close he can suddenly blow by you and finish with craft at the rim. 

Herro is another dangerous scorer this team has, and he and Adebayo’s synergy in dribble handoff actions is truly a sight to see. They flow in these actions like it’s a dance, Adebayo screening and re-screening, Herro constantly shifting and changing direction to receive the handoff. Herro is good at shooting off the dribble after getting free in these actions, but if you overcommit he can also put the ball on the floor and find Adebayo for a lob. Adebayo is no slouch when it comes to scoring himself, and he is a very solid face up scorer, who uses screening and movement to free himself as a roller, or pop out for a middy or three pointer.

Toronto has their hands full with this offense, but they have the size at the rim that is necessary to limit some of what Miami does, especially with Adebayo. Jakob Poeltl and Barnes are a good frontcourt to have to limit Miami’s rim looks and help keep track of all their movement, but Barrett and Brandon Ingram will need to step up defensively and be sticky through screens to handle all of Miami’s ball handlers.

Game Info

Tip-Off: 7:30 p.m. ET

Television: Sportsnet

Venue: Scotiabank Arena

Starting Lineups (Projected)

Miami Heat 

PG: Davion Mitchell

SG: Tyler Herro

SF:Norman Powell 

PF: Andrew Wiggins 

C: Bam Adebayo

Toronto Raptors

PG: Ja’Kobe Walter

SG: RJ Barrett

SF: Brandon Ingram

PF: Scottie Barnes

C: Jakob Poeltl

Injury Report

Toronto Raptors

Immanuel Quickley (Foot) – Out

Sandro Mamukelashvilli (Knee) – Questionable

Collin Mrray-Boyles (Quad) – Questionable 

Miami Heat

Nikola Jovic (Ankle) – Out

Team	Spread	Money	Total
Toronto Raptors	-2.5 (–115)	-114	O 239.5 (-115)
Miami Heat	+2.5 (-105)	+104	U 239.5 (-105)

Odds as of Apr.7th, 12:00 a.m. ET

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