The Heat got a big win Wednesday night when they dominated the Charlotte Hornets, 112-99. It kept their seventh seed in the East playoff standings in place, which was slowly slipping away due them going just 3-4 in their last seven games (SU and ATS).
Win or lose, though, it’s been mostly Goran Dragic for Miami as of late, as he is scoring 25 points and 5.6 assists on 51.2 percent shooting in his last six. We should see him producing similar numbers as they continue trying to widen their breathing room for their playoff bid.
That said, his tandem with paint monster Hassan Whiteside (16.7 PPG, 14.1 RPG, 2.7 BPG) and chemistry with the team’s array of athletic swingmen, are still to be trusted.
Dragic and company are down in the season series with the Raptors, 2-1, but that lone win was an easy 104-89 victory where six Heat players reached double figures. Also, they are top five in the league in points allowed (101.9 PAPG) and defensive efficiency.
Kyle Lowry (wrist), who has sat out the last five weeks, returned to action Wednesday night to help power the Raptors to a come-from-behind 105-102 victory over the Detroit Pistons. Toronto was down by double-digits for most of the game and only broke the barrier in the fourth quarter.
It was the team’s ninth win in their last 11 games (6-4-1 ATS), and their All-Star point guard looked like he wasn’t coming off an injury, scoring 27 points and 10 assists, both of which were game-highs.
Considering that the playoffs are nearing, the backcourt duo of Lowry and DeMar DeRozan probably won’t be as active, since teams/players are normally getting more cautious at this time of the regular season. However, we can also argue that Lowry may play super active since he’s trying to regain more rhythm for the incoming postseason run.
The Raptors are close to finishing the season ranking inside the top eight in points, offensive efficiency, points allowed, steals, turnovers committed, and turnovers forced.
Writer’s Prediction
The Raptors (-5) win courtesy of another big game from Lowry, 109-100.
