The Raptors defeated the Miami Heat in a frantic nail-biter of a game filled with swings both ways.
The Toronto Raptors have just won their second straight playoff tuneup game. After mounting a heroic comeback late against the Pistons, the Raps did the same early against the visiting Heat. Instead of waltzing home with a victory after leading by 18 in Q2, Toronto allowed the Heat to chip away.
The Heat, in a full-court press for a post-season berth, tied the match late in Q4. To their credit, the Raptors regained the lead on a Serge Ibaka 3-ball, exactly as happened in Detroit . He would shortly foul out, on yet another dubious call in a game full of them. There were too many non-calls as well, with the referees seeming content to swallow their whistles no matter how chippy matters got.
Toronto shrugged off Ibaka’s departure and kept the in-your-face Heat at bay with clutch baskets by the All-Star backcourt.
Miami managed two 3-balls with under 6 seconds to play but the Raptors were able to in-bounds the ball successfully and avoid overtime.
A prodigal son returns
Leading the fierce Heat in points and minutes played was ex-Raptor James Johnson. He clearly enjoys extending a virtual middle finger to Dwane Casey, who couldn’t find much room in the rotation for JJ during his two tours of duty with our team.
DeMar DeRozan has been filling it up lately; this game’s total was 38. His finger roll layup with 25 seconds to play should have been the dagger. The bucket was set up by a critical play from P.J. Tucker. On Kyle Lowry’s second miss from the free-throw line, P.J. tapped the rebound out for a fresh Toronto opportunity. DeRozan took advantage of the broken floor.
Lowry’s play was spotty (1 of 5 from deep and the charity stripe), as befits someone returning from a lengthy injury and needing to deal with two important new guys in Ibaka and Tucker. Several of Lowry’s 5 turnovers were clear-cut miscommunications with Ibaka, and Kyle didn’t hide his dismay. Let’s hope they got matters ironed out.
Wrapping it up
Elbows were flying all night. Both Tucker and Jonas Valanciunas are sure to have awoken to headaches after getting abused. Fouls weren’t called either time, sad to say.
While Cory Joseph enjoyed a solid outing with 14 points and 3 steals, the rest of the bench might as well have stayed home. Patrick Patterson hit the group’s only basket. I realize Tucker’s value is primarily defensive, but I don’t think I’d be upset if he managed better than a donut in 27+ minutes of PT.
The Raptors visit the Big Apple for a Sunday game against the dysfunctional Knicks. This one starts at noon, so our guys best avoid the temptations of a New York Saturday night.
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