The Raptors wanted to end the season on a winning note, but Miami had other ideas. Toronto couldn’t hold its lead in the face of hot Q4 shooting, and OT wasn’t close.
The final game of the regular season wasn’t a throwaway effort by either team. The Toronto Raptors, seemingly enamoured with the prestige of being a 60-win squad, didn’t hold anyone out. For their part, the Miami Heat, even without Goran Dragic, didn’t give an inch.
The game came apart for Toronto in the final quarter, when the Heat’s version of C.J. Miles, a journeyman named Wayne Ellington, led a comeback. His remarkable shooting wiped out a 7-point Raptors lead, and it was all our team could do to take the match to overtime. The Raptors needed some shot-making, as the paint was most unpleasant, but (other than Kyle Lowry) didn’t get it.

In the extra frame, the bill came due. The real Miles had misfired all night; that didn’t change, and no other Raptor picked up the slack. Toronto went donut for five in the extra frame, while Miami’s half-court offense paid off. That 60th win remained beyond reach.
Is this basketball?
This game was troubling for another reason. The Raptors needed to avoid injury, but that can be difficult when the other side is throwing elbows. Serge Ibaka took a smash in the teeth, and Fred VanVleet was knocked woozy by an illegal moving screen. I thought I was watching a playoff hockey game from Gordie Howe’s time, particularly since the referees weren’t bothering with silly stuff like calling fouls.
More from Raptors Rapture
- Scottie Barnes talks Raptors expectations after bumpy 2022-23
- Raptors’ Dennis Schroder completes Cinderella story, wins FIBA World Cup with Germany
- 3 players Raptors could replace OG Anunoby with at trade deadline
- NBA insider praises Raptors’ hiring of “star” Darko Rajakovic
- Raptors fans will love Markquis Nowell’s insane confidence on Instagram
The Raptors did receive some excellent work. Lowry drained five of 10 from deep, crashed the boards and dished dimes. He wound up an assist short of a triple-double. Had Miles made more than one long ball in seven tries, K-Low would have gotten there. Jakob Poeltl didn’t make many mistakes. He pulled down 6 of the team’s 12 offensive rebounds, and matched that on the other glass to lead the team. Jak’s high-percentage shooting was on target again (8 of 10), and he ended with 16 points.
DeMar DeRozan needed 17 shots to accumulate 19 points. He, like Miles, has been off the mark for some time.
Not to worry
Jonas Valanciunas connected with Kyle for some pretty buckets on the high pick and roll. The Raptors appear strong at center as the playoffs open. However, Serge Ibaka’s lack of interest in rebounding is becoming alarming. One board in 25+ minutes? Not nearly adequate.
This loss shouldn’t be overstated. A win would have been a nice cherry on top of a wonderful sundae of a season, but has no impact otherwise. Assuming our guys get fully healthy before Game 1, we’ll be fine.