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Raptors 116 – Miami Heat 89: Movin’ on up!

By Brian Boake

May 11, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors forward Patrick Patterson (54) congratulated center Bismack Biyombo (8) after getting the ball back against the Miami Heat in game five of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. The Raptors beat the Heat 99-91. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
May 11, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors forward Patrick Patterson (54) congratulated center Bismack Biyombo (8) after getting the ball back against the Miami Heat in game five of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. The Raptors beat the Heat 99-91. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Raptors silenced their doubters, coming up with an emphatic win to take the series from the Miami Heat. Kyle Lowry led the way.

The Toronto Raptors were tested, and not found wanting, for the second straight time in the playoffs. Needing another game-7 victory on home court to advance, the Raptors finally received the total team performance they had been missing. Led by point guard Kyle Lowry’s 35 points, the Raptors won every quarter, highlighted by the last, when they steamrolled their opponents by a 30-11 count.

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Toronto moves on to face the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference finals. Our team has never advanced this far in the post-season in its history.

The Raptors needed all hands on deck to win against a gritty Heat squad, and that’s exactly what happened. Lowry was dialed in from the opening tip. Perhaps the Heat had grown used to his shooting woes from long distance; they gave him room and he made they pay, knocking down 5 of 7 attempts.

Bismack Biyombo piled up big numbers once again. His game-high 16 rebounds including 6 on the offensive glass, where the Raptors dominated, grabbing 20 as a team. Several of Lowry’s 9 dimes were to Bis as he rolled down the paint to finish with authority.

Dr Naismith statue
Statue of Dr. James Naismith, inventor of basketball, located in his hometown of Almonte, ON. Photo courtesy of Dennis Beck. /

Mid-way through Q4, Heat big man Josh McRoberts decided he’d seen enough of Biyombo cramming easy baskets down his team’s throat. McBob smashed Biz’s arms as he went up, preventing him from scoring and earning himself a Flagrant-1 foul. It is to Bismack’s credit that he confronted McRoberts, then walked away.

DeMar DeRozan’s resurgence continued with a 28-point performance. While he took more shots (29) than anyone else, he made enough to draw considerable defensive attention.

Leave it to DeMarre Carroll to provide efficient scoring. He took only 5 shots and made 4 of them, including both of his tries from beyond the arc. His crafty defense on Dwyane Wade kept the Miami superstar in check.

The Heat were one & done throughout the game, with Toronto dominating the defensive boards. Our team could survive Jonas Valanciunas’ ankle injury, but Miami never found anyone who could challenge our guys on the glass as the series progressed. Amar’e Stoudemire, years ago a dominant rebounder, lost his coach’s confidence several games ago, and never got off the bench in this one.

Patrick Patterson’s long-distance shooting slump continued, as he misfired on 4 attempts. But he more than compensated, attaining a double-double of 11 and 11. He made Miami pay for fouling him, draining all 7 tries.

Even Terrence Ross got into the act. He swished 2 of 4 from distance, and made a pair of clever steals.

Once the Raptors lead was unassailable, coach Dwane Casey emptied the bench, giving everyone but Luis Scola some run. This move also provided the fans a chance to express their appreciation to the starters, in particular Lowry, who received much love as he sat down.

The Raptors don’t have much time to savour their victory, or rest their weary bones. The Eastern Conference finals commence tomorrow night in Cleveland – and our team will be there.

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