Only one win is separating the Toronto Raptors from their first ever trip to the Eastern Conference finals. That can become a reality tonight, when they go toe-to-toe with the Miami Heat at the American Airlines Arena for Game 6. Can the Raps succeed in doing so? Or will Dwyane Wade and the Heat extend their season, and force a Game 7? Read on below for a closer look at this matchup.
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Raptors vs. Heat Game Six Round Two Preview
Where: American Airlines Arena, Miami, FL
When: Friday, May 13, 2016, 8:00 PM ET
Line: Toronto Raptors (+4) vs. Miami Heat (-4); total: 189.5 – view all NBA lines
TV Broadcast: ESPN
Betting on the Toronto Raptors
The first of which will obviously be tonight’s Game 6, and you can expect the Raps to hope that Lowry and DeRozan can get it going again. Both are averaging 15.8 and 19.1 points, respectively, throughout this postseason. But in the case that they end up shooting bricks, someone’s got to step up to pick up the slack.
That said, look to either Bismack Biyombo or Cory Joseph to provide the spark on both ends of the court. Those two have played integral roles in this series overall and Biyombo, in particular, has arguably been the biggest difference-maker ever since Jonas Valanciunas sprained his ankle in Game 3.
Biyombo started the previous two games and averaged up 11.5 points, 9.5 rebounds and three blocks during that brief stretch. He should be able to continue making his presence felt especially with the Heat missing its defensive anchor in Hassan Whiteside.
Meanwhile, DeMarre Carroll’s status for tonight is still up in the air thanks to a wrist contusion that he suffered in Game 5. If he’s unable to suit up, a lot more pressure will be on the Raps supporting cast to put up solid contributions. Toronto’s bench is scoring 29.4 points this postseason.
The Raps are 5-5 SU and 4-6 ATS in their previous 10 visits to American Airlines Arena.
Betting on the Miami Heat
Dwyane Wade’s arguably been the best player in this series overall. He is averaging a series-high 21.8 points, 5.8 rebounds and 4.3 assists. But it’s clear that the Miami Heat can’t always expect their superstar to carry them to victory in each game. And so, the main focus for them in Game 6 would be to utilize their other scoring options.
Miami needs Goran Dragic and Joe Johnson, in particular, to really get it going. Those two have been relatively solid this postseason, averaging 15.4 and 12.0 points respectively. But their shot selections have been pretty bad to say the least, as both are shooting below 40 percent from the field.
Making things worse for the Heat is the fact that another one of their starters—besides Hassan Whiteside—is in jeopardy of missing out tonight’s crucial game. Luol Deng, who is racking up almost 15 points per game in the playoffs, is deemed questionable to play due to a left wrist injury. Without him, there’s bound to be more pressure on the team—and especially on Wade—to generate some points.
On defense, meanwhile, the Heat, which are giving up 94.6 points in the series, can’t allow Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan to go on an offensive outburst again. Yes, those two have struggled throughout this postseason, but that doesn’t change the fact that they’re one of the most dangerous backcourt tandems in the league today.
Miami is 8-2 SU and ATS in its previous 10 home games.
Writer’s Prediction
Miami (-4) prevails, 96-89.
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