NBA Action Continues: Heat Vs. Raptors
Published August 3, 2020 by Sol FH
The defending NBA Champs take on the Miami Heat today at 18:30 GMT, live from the Bubble.
The Miami Heat and the defending NBA Champions, the Toronto Raptors tip-off today at 18:30 GMT, and all eyes will be on Heat star Jimmy Butler and whether or not he will be able to take to the court. Rumor has it that he tested positive for COVID-19, but, the test could be a false positive result, which has been the case in many tests across the US.
Butler missed the last Heat practice prior to today's game after they beat the Nuggets on Saturday Night. Heat coach Erik Spoelstra told the media that he will not comment on the Butler situation, which is strange and points to a positive test in the NBA Bubble. That would certainly cause some issues for the entire Bubble if this is true.
A Major Battle in the East
Both teams feel great about their chances for a deep playoff run. The Heat had been trying for ages to replace the gap that LeBron James left, but now they have Jimmy Butler, which seems like he could be the missing piece of the puzzle.
The Raptors, even without all-star Kawhi Leonard, are still favorites to reach the Eastern Conference Finals against the Bucks, which would be a rematch of last year.
The Heat and the Raptors are both incredible teams on defense. They also play very cohesively on offense. The Raptors beat the Lakers on Saturday, 107-92, but, they still haven't been getting the attention they deserve, mainly due to the fact that they lack a real superstar.
Toronto coach Nick Nurse has noticed this but is not worried about it, "I don't think anybody's going to pay too much attention to us. But that's OK. We know we're tough to beat, and I don't think we've reached our ceiling yet."
Toronto is in second place in the league in both steals and fewest points allowed in the paint.
Miami are 2-0 against Toronto this season, but if Butler is absent from the lineup, the Heat will be in a lot of trouble.
NBA Odds
bet365 Sports has all the action ahead of this match-up, and all NBA games for the remainder of the season and playoffs. Tonight, the bookmaker has live in-play odds that will open as the game is played.
