The Toronto Raptors will head to Miami to take on the Heat after a five-game homestand.
These teams last met under two weeks ago for a home-and-home, with each side taking a win on its home floor.
The Raptors come into this matchup riding a three-game losing streak, while the Heat are on a three-game win streak looking to avenge their Dec. 1 loss against Toronto.
The biggest story going into this game for the Raptors is that they will be without their 23-year-old star Scottie Barnes. He will be out for several weeks with an ankle injury after landing hard on Karl-Anthony Towns’ foot after contesting a shot in the Raptors previous matchup against the New York Knicks.
Barnes had been playing stellar basketball after coming back from a broken orbital bone, averaging 21.8 points, 9.1 rebounds and 8.6 assists in his last 9 games before suffering another injury.
The Raptors have gone 2-9 without Barnes so far this season and it leaves a huge hole in their rotation. The Raptors will likely slide Davion Mitchell back in the starting lineup alongside Gradey Dick, RJ Barrett, Ochai Agbaji and Jakob Poeltl.
With Barnes out of the lineup, Barrett will need to step up. He has played well against the Heat this season averaging 31.0 points, 6.5 rebounds and 6.0 assists in the previous two matchups this season.
The Heat will look to remain hot against the Raptors as they look to make it 4-0 during their homestand. Tyler Herro has been their best player to start the season as the 24-year-old is averaging career highs across the board, including points (24.2), assists (5.0), rebounds (5.4), field goal percentage (47.7) and three-point percentage (42.2). He has been playing like an All-Star for Miami.
Along with Barnes being out (ankle), the Raptors will also be without Immanuel Quickley (elbow) and Bruce Brown (knee). Heat star Jimmy Butler (knee) is probable, Pelle Larsson (ankle) is doubtful and Josh Richardson (heel) is out.
Toronto Raptors (7-18) vs. Miami Heat (12-10)
7:30 p.m. EST, Thursday, December 12, 2024
Kaseya Center, Miami, Florida
TV: Sportsnet
Projected Raptors Starting Lineup:
PG: Davion Mitchell
SG: Gradey Dick
SF: RJ Barrett
PF: Ochai Agbaji
C: Jakob Poeltl
Key Reserves: Kelly Olynyk, Jonathan Mogbo, Ja’Kobe Walter
Projected Heat Starting Lineup:
PG: Tyler Herro
SG: Duncan Robinson
SF: Jimmy Butler
PF: Haywood Highsmith
C: Bam Adebayo
Key Reserves: Terry Rozier, Dru Smith, Jaime Jaquez Jr.
Have you subscribed to the Raptors Nation YouTube channel? It’s the best way to watch interviews, exclusive coverage from events, participate in live shows, and more!
