Heat’s Defensive Stand: Holding off Raptors for a 112-103 Victory

The Miami Heat defeated the Toronto Raptors 112-103 on Wednesday night thanks to season-highs in scoring and rebounding from Caleb Martin (24 points) and Duncan Robinson (21 points).

Image

With 19 points from Jimmy Butler, 15 from Orlando Robinson and 12 boards, and 15 from Jaime Jaquez Jr., the Heat won their second game in a row.

For the Raptors, who had taken a 3-0 series lead over the Heat, Pascal Siakam scored 30 points—his fourth of the season—and OG Anunoby added 23.

Even though Siakam made all eleven of his free throw attempts, Toronto still lost, marking the first game this season that an All-Star like Siakam has scored 30 or more points and lost.

Image

Scottie Barnes contributed 12 points and 11 boards, while Gary Trent Jr. scored 15 for the Raptors.

While Dennis Schroder, a guard for the Toronto Raptors, shot 4 for 18, Barnes went 5 for 17.

The Heat’s All-Star center Bam Adebayo has been out for two games in a row with a strained left hip. After leaving Thursday’s comeback victory over Indiana in the second quarter, Adebayo has not returned to the game.

Image

Haywood Highsmith, a forward with the Heat, sat out the game with a lower back injury.

Kyle Lowry, a former Raptors guard, played 28 minutes and scored three points. Only Lowry among Miami’s starters failed to reach the 10-point mark.

The introduction of Lowry before to the game elicited a resounding round of applause. Lowry, who was an integral member of the 2019 Toronto Raptors championship squad, announced on Wednesday morning that he “definitely” intends to retire from professional basketball. Following his decision, he will sign a one-day contract with the Raptors.

Image

While Miami extended their team-record string of 30-point quarters to nine, the Heat scored 37 points in the opening quarter. Second quarter scoring for the Heat came at 27 points.

After falling behind 22-7 in the opening quarter, the Raptors came back to lead by halftime, 66-64.

Image

To start the third quarter, Butler scored eight points as Miami went on a 16-0 run, capitalizing on seven errors committed by Toronto. As we went into the fourth quarter, the Heat’s inability to sustain a double-digit lead was on full display as Toronto narrowed the gap to three points, 87-84.

Image