The Toronto Raptors (17-13) visit the Miami Heat (15-14) in a Southeast-Atlantic crossover that’s a rematch of their December 15 clash, where Toronto pulled off a 106-96 road upset to snap a four-game skid. The Raptors have cooled off since, while the Heat are mired in a rough patch, dropping four of their last five amid injuries to key guards. Miami’s defense, typically a strength, has faltered lately, allowing 124.6 PPG over that stretch, which could open the door for Toronto’s balanced attack led by Brandon Ingram and Immanuel Quickley. However, with both teams missing frontcourt pieces, this could turn into a gritty, low-scoring affair at the Kaseya Center.
Venue Location
Kaseya Center, Miami, FL. This 19,600-seat arena has been a tough spot for visitors this season, with Miami going 8-6 straight up at home, though their ATS record dips to 5-9.
Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 PM ET. Broadcast on SportsNet (Raptors feed), FDSSUN (Heat feed), and WPLG local, with streaming via NBA League Pass.
Injury Report
Injuries are hitting both squads hard, particularly in the backcourt and frontcourt, which could lead to expanded roles for bench players and altered strategies.
Toronto Raptors:
Out: RJ Barrett (right knee sprain – sidelined since early December, no set return), Jakob Poeltl (low back strain – out indefinitely after recent aggravation).
Questionable/Probable: None major reported, but Scottie Barnes (recently returned from orbital fracture) is monitoring minutes.
Notable Notes: Without Poeltl, Toronto leans on Sandro Mamukelashvili and rookie Craig Murray-Boyles for interior defense. G League call-ups may provide depth after the Showcase Final.
Miami Heat:
Out: Tyler Herro (right big toe contusion – ruled out after missing recent games), Nikola Jovic (left elbow sprain – week-to-week), Terry Rozier (undisclosed, out since mid-December).
Questionable: Pelle Larsson (ankle – day-to-day after limited practice).
Notable Notes: Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo are healthy but carrying heavy loads; expect more from Kel’el Ware and Jaime Jaquez Jr. in the frontcourt. Miami’s guard depth is thin, potentially forcing Alec Burks into starting duties.
These absences favor Toronto’s perimeter game but expose both teams inside, where rebounding could decide the outcome.
Player Matchups
Without Herro and Poeltl, the focus shifts to wing battles and interior physicality, with Toronto’s length potentially disrupting Miami’s offense.
Scottie Barnes (TOR) vs. Jimmy Butler (MIA): The premier matchup features Barnes (20.5 PPG, 8.2 RPG, 7.1 APG) testing Butler’s defense (18.4 PPG, elite two-way play). Barnes dominated with 24 points and 10 rebounds in the Dec. 15 win, but Butler’s experience could flip the script at home, especially exploiting Barnes’ occasional turnover issues.
Bam Adebayo (MIA) vs. Sandro Mamukelashvili/Craig Murray-Boyles (TOR): Adebayo (17.8 PPG, 9.6 RPG) has a size advantage over Toronto’s depleted frontcourt. Mamukelashvili (starting in Poeltl’s absence) and rookie Murray-Boyles (17.5 MPG) combined for 18 rebounds last game, but Adebayo’s post scoring could overwhelm them, as seen in his 20-point effort vs. Knicks.
Immanuel Quickley (TOR) vs. Alec Burks/Jaime Jaquez Jr. (MIA): Quickley (18.2 PPG, 32.2 MPG) exploits Miami’s guard injuries, facing Burks or Jaquez in Herro’s absence. Quickley’s 31 points vs. Charlotte highlight his scoring burst; expect him to attack a Heat backcourt allowing 46% opponent FG% recently.
Other Key Battles: Brandon Ingram (TOR, 23.1 PPG) vs. Haywood Highsmith (MIA) – Ingram’s mid-range game could thrive against Miami’s 20th-ranked defense. Kel’el Ware (MIA) steps up inside, potentially matching Toronto’s youth movement.
Toronto’s depth gives them an edge in transition, but Miami’s home intensity could force turnovers.
Recent Team Forms
Miami’s slump contrasts with Toronto’s up-and-down play, setting up a rebound opportunity for the Heat.
Toronto Raptors (Last 5 Games):
| Date | Opponent | Result |
| Dec 21 | @ Brooklyn Nets | L 81-96 |
| Dec 15 | @ Miami Heat | W 106-96 |
| Dec 12 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | L 102-110 |
| Dec 6 | vs. Denver Nuggets | W 118-112 |
| Dec 5 | vs. Charlotte Hornets | L 86-111 |
Form: 2-3 in last 5, averaging 98.6 PPG while allowing 103.0. The Nets loss exposed offensive woes (season-low 81 points), but the Heat win showed defensive potential (held Miami to 96).
Miami Heat (Last 5 Games):
| Date | Opponent | Result |
| Dec 21 | @ New York Knicks | L 125-132 |
| Dec 19 | @ Boston Celtics | L 116-129 |
| Dec 15 | vs. Toronto Raptors | L 96-106 |
| Dec 6 | vs. Sacramento Kings | W 114-109 |
| Dec 5 | @ Orlando Magic | L 105-106 |
Form: 1-4 in last 5, averaging 112.4 PPG but conceding 116.4. Offensive decline since early December (down to 108.5 PPG in losses), highlighted by poor fourth quarters (e.g., outscored 38-29 by Knicks).
Series History
Miami leads the all-time series 65-44 in regular season (59.6% win rate), with a 7-5 playoff edge. Recently, the Heat are 6-2 in the last eight meetings, though Toronto won the latest on Dec. 15 (106-96). The Raptors are 2-3 in their last five vs. Miami, but they’ve covered ATS in 5 of 9 since 2024.
Betting Trends
Miami is 1-4 ATS in last 5 overall and 3-5 ATS as home favorites. Raptors are 9-6 ATS on the road but 2-10 ATS in last 12 games. Under is 5-0 in Toronto’s last 5 and 4-1 in Miami’s last 5 home games. Series games trend under in 6 of last 10. Raptors 5-4 ATS vs. Heat since 2024; Heat 6-2 SU in last 8 meetings.
Game Odds
Toronto Raptors 228.5
Miami Heat – 5.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Monday, December 22, 2025
