11/19/2008 - Miami, FL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Andrea Bargnani scored a season-high 25 points, leading the Toronto Raptors over the Miami Heat, 101-95, in a tough road test at American Airlines Arena.
Chris Bosh and Jermaine O'Neal both posted double-doubles, with Bosh recording 15 points and 11 rebounds while O'Neal had 16 points and 17 rebounds. Anthony Parker was a perfect 5-for-5 from beyond the arc for 19 points for the Raptors, who have won two of three.
"Every time they took the lead, we came right back and got the timely stops," said Raptors head coach Sam Mitchell. "(Bargnani) and (O'Neal) were just huge for us, and then (Parker) in the second half. We just kept telling (Parker) to shoot the basketball. The guys off the bench gave us some big points."
The Raptors shot 9-of-13 from three-point range in the game, including an 8-for-8 mark to finish the game.
Dwyane Wade had a game-high 40 points and 11 assists for the Heat, who have lost three of five. Shawn Marion added a season-high 20 points and 14 rebounds, while Daequan Cook had 10 points in the loss.
"We are going to build on (the game)," Wade said. "Tonight we played a team that played well throughout the whole game and hit big shots. We kept fighting and had a chance. At the end of the day, the best team won tonight."
Down 10 headed into the final quarter, Miami started on a 17-6 burst to seize an 84-83 lead with just under nine minutes remaining. Marion and Chris Quinn combined to score 10 during the run.
But Parker hit Toronto's seventh consecutive three-point attempt to take back an 86-84 advantage. Parker hit a fadeaway shot to go up four, but Wade's three-pointer with four minutes to play pulled Miami within 92-89.
Jose Calderon, who missed the last two games with a strained right hamstring, made a crucial steal with just over a minute to go and put the Raptors up by five with a driving layup past Quinn and Marion with 1:09 left.
Wade made a jumper with 41 seconds left to pull Miami within four, but Cook's three-point attempt on the next possession was off, and Parker put the finishing touches on the game with a couple free throws with under 10 seconds left to put Toronto up 101-95.
"Well we didn't like the result, but I think people probably got their money's worth on that game," said Miami head coach Erik Spoelstra. "Going down the stretch, it got as electric as it could get."
Toronto jumped out to a 17-6 lead in the first six minutes, thanks to 10 early points from Bargnani. But Wade led the Heat back into it with nine points in the first, and Miami was only down two after the opening period.
The Raptors were able to increase their lead to nine in the beginning of the second, maintaining that advantage for most of the quarter. But Wade hit a jumper and a free throw in the last 20 seconds, and the Heat trailed only by four at the break.
Miami tied the game at 47 early in the third, but Toronto answered with an 8-0 run to regain the lead. The Raptors would increase their lead to as much as 17 thanks to the team's 6-for-6 shooting from three in the quarter and led 77-67 headed into the fourth.
Game Notes
Parker tied a team record for most three-pointers without a miss. It has happened two times in Toronto history, with the last being Mike James against Golden State on December 16, 2006...Calderon had eight points and seven assists...Miami shot just 7-of-23 from three-point range...Bargnani shot 3-of-4 from long range...Toronto leads the season series, 2-0, and has beaten the Heat six straight times...Wade set a career-high with five blocks.
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"We've just come in every night focused
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Eastern Conference Playoff Betting Trends
We all know by now that the “public” loves to put their money on the FAVORITES and the OVERS. Just by taking a quick glance at Sportsbook.com’s “Betting Trends” it appears as is this tendency will continue as far as the Eastern Conference games are concerned. For the inaugural games of the first round, 69% of the early money is on Toronto -4.5; 59% of bettors prefer Chicago -4.5; 84% are backing Detroit -9; and 56% think Cleveland -11.5 is the way to go. As far as TOTALS are concerned, the only UNDER the “public” is backing is the Cleveland/ Washington game in which 83% are pounding the UNDER (190). Remember, there is no better way to predict a possible line change than by monitoring MySportsbook.com’s “Betting Trends”. By determining who the “public” is backing, you can get the most ideal line for your bet. For example, if you are siding with the public you better place your bet before the line moves in the wrong direction. On the other side of the coin, if you prefer the team that the “public” is betting against; you might be able to get and extra ½ or even more by placing your bet a bit later. Under the “Betting Trends” section, Sportsbook.com also provides plenty of statistical data and trends in order for the bettor to make the most informed pick. Below are some extremely important trends for the first round opponents of the Eastern Conference match-ups, more can be found at MySportsbook.com
New Jersey Nets vs. Toronto Raptors
Toronto was the most reliable covering team this season with a 48-33-1 ATS record but covered the OVER only 41.5% of the time.
The last 20 times these teams have played, the TOTAL has gone UNDER 16 times.
Versus Eastern Conference teams, Toronto is 33-19 ATS including 17-9 at home.
New Jersey has covered four games in a row while Toronto has failed to cover their last four games.
When playing a team with a winning record during the second half of the season, New Jersey was just 5-13 ATS this season.
After scoring 105 points or more, Toronto has covered the OVER only 28% of the time this season.
Miami Heat @ Chicago Bulls
Miami has failed to cover their last 7 games whereas Chicago has covered 6 out of their last 8 games.
Miami has covered the UNDER in four of their last five games whereas Chicago has covered the UNDER in five out of their last six.
When playing on Saturdays, Miami covered 80% of their games this season.
Away from home, Chicago is just 16-25 ATS this season.
At home, Miami covered the UNDER about 66% of the time whereas Chicago covered the UNDER about 61% of the time.
The last 13 times these teams have played each other, Chicago has covered 9 times.
In Miami’s last 11 road games, the UNDER covered 9 times.
Orlando Magic @ Detroit Pistons
Detroit has covered 5 out of their last 6 games.
Away from home, Detroit is 28-13 ATS but just 14-26-1 ATS at home.
At home, Orlando covered the UNDER 64% of the time while Detroit covered the UNDER in 63% of their away games.
The last five times these teams have played in Detroit, the OVER covered each time.
Versus Eastern Conference teams, Detroit is 8-17-1 ATS at home but 17-9 ATS away.
Detroit covered the spread 5 out of the last 6 times they played Orlando.
After a Division game, Orlando covered the UNDER 87% of the time this season.
Washington Wizards @ Cleveland Cavaliers
In a home game where the TOTAL is between 190 and 194.5 points, Cleveland is 9-1 ATS this season.
Washington has covered the UNDER in their last 6 games and in 8 of their last 9 games.
The last 6 times these teams have played each other, the UNDER covered each time.
When playing on 3 or more days of rest, Washington is just 18-37 ATS since 1996.
Since 1996, Washington is 28-16 ATS versus Cleveland including 11-5 over the last 3 seasons.
In their last 7 road games, Washington is 6-1 ATS.
Versus Eastern Conference teams at home, Washington is just 6-18-2 ATS.
For even more betting trends for not just the NBA but for all of the major sports, log on to Sportsbook.com and click on “Trends”. With only two months left in the NBA betting season it is important to be as well informed as possible in order to maximize your profit. Also for all of you poker players, check out MySportsbook.com’s “WSOP Low Bid Auction”. You could be on your way to Vegas to play against the world’s best poker players for under a buck.
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