Raptors 99, Heat 91: One Win Away From History

After underperforming collectively for the majority of the postseason, Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan combined for 59 points to lead the Toronto Raptors to a Game 5 victory!

After taking their foot off the gas in Game 4, the Toronto Raptors bounced back and played their most complete game as a team in the postseason. And after 11 games of both players not performing at an All Star level in these 2016 NBA Playoffs, Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan played like they were the highest scoring backcourt in the Eastern Conference and scored 25 and 33 points respectively, combining for 59 points on 20 of 47 shooting (42.5 percent for those wondering).

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This is the quality of play the All Star pair were expected to bring into the playoffs from the beginning, but multiple outings of inefficient scoring and ineffective play bought a lot of criticism down on the Raptors leaders. Those questions were answered emphatically. Amidst the poor play and injury implications from both players, Lowry and DeRozan sucked it up and played like they were supposed to play.

The Raptors would jump out on the Miami Heat early, starting the game on a 17-4 run and would win wire to wire. The biggest lead was 20 points. The only tie in the game was when the score was 0-0. The closest the Heat would get would be one point off of 2 Dwyane Wade free throws, Wade being held to 20 points after scoring 30 or more in the last two games. Aside from losing the DeMarre Carroll in the 3rd quarter to a wrist injury (more on that later), the Raptors would get solid effort and contributions from everyone who saw the court.

Now, with the Raptors leading the series 3-2, they are on the cusp of their first trip to the Eastern Conference Finals where LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers lay in wait.

Let’s revisit the keys to the game:

1. Get the ball down low to Bismack Biyombo. Mission accomplished… sort of. The second coming of Dikembe Mutombo was active early and often in the first half, being the recipient of some sick, wicked and nasty lobs from Lowry. Adding in a couple of put backs and some freebies at the line, Bismack Biyombo had a decent overall game with 10 point, 6 rebound and 4 blocks. Still cringe when he has open shots, but I like the fact that he plays within himself. And he was in the game late, unlike in Game 4. The difference was positive.
2. Take advantage of broken-floor opportunities. The Raptors forced 13 turnovers on Miami, score 42 points in the paint, and would shred the Miami defense in the process. That’s a win in my books.
3. Tighten up against Dwyane Wade. Remember how I said the Raptors held Wade to 20 points? That wasn’t an exaggeration. Wade was held in check until the 4th quarter, and with no Carroll to lock him down, Wade started going off. Just too little to late for the Heat though. Another win for Toronto.

With Game 6 on Friday, the Toronto Raptors will have an opportunity that they’ve only had once before: advance to the Conference Finals for the first time in franchise history. They control their own destiny and I expect them to get the job done.

It’s time for the Raptors to get greedy and develop that killer instinct.

SIDE NOTES

DeMarre Carroll collided with Goran Dragic in the 3rd quarter of the game and left with an apparent wrist injury and didn’t return. X-Rays are negative, and Carroll is listed as questionable for Game 6. With Jonas Valanciunas already out for the series, the Raptors can ill afford to lose Carroll, the team’s best defender, as well. Think happy thought, Raptors fans…

North Side Pride Shown Against Wade

After the whole taking shots during the anthem thing, the crowd at the Air Canada Centre gave Dwyane Wade the Tracy McGrady treatment. Every time Wade had the ball in his hand was met with a chorus of boos raining down on him. Way to keep it classy, Canada.

Next: Kyle Lowry Is Back!

All stats are provided by Basketball-Reference.com unless otherwise stated. Matthew Allman is a staff writer for Raptors Rapture. For more coverage on the Toronto Raptors, follow Matthew on Twitter @ShadowRapsFan and also follow @RaptorsRapture for the latest in Raptors news.