Toronto Raptors: Three Takeaways from win over Miami Heat

The Toronto Raptors soundly defeated Miami in a Sunday night meeting. Toronto cruised in this game thanks to fearless scoring inside. What else happened?

The Toronto Raptors notched their fifth straight victory with a home win over the Miami Heat. In what was longtime Miami Heat guard, Dwyane Wade‘s final appearance in the Scotiabank Arena, Toronto defeated Miami 125-115. The Raptors led by as much as 26 points and never looked back.

Let’s take a closer look and examine the main takeaways from the Raptors’ ninth home win.

Wade Makes History in Farewell Tour

Even in his 16th NBA season, Wade can still carry the Heat. The 36-year-old led the team (and all scorers) with 35 points on 59.1-percent shooting. He hit four three-pointers and chipped in five boards and six dimes.

It was a throwback performance and got Wade in both teams’ record books. In scoring 35, Wade set a Miami Heat record with most points by a bench player in a single game. He also found himself in the Raptors’ books as the player with the most 30-point performances against Toronto.

Wade led the Heat bench, which scored 71 points, and were the only reasons why Miami didn’t get blown out entirely. But despite his Herculean effort, Miami still fell short. And it’s because the starters didn’t show up for this one.

Starting it Right

Toronto took it straight to Miami outscoring them 36-29 in the first period. Miami never fully recovered as Toronto scored at will while shutting down Miami’s starting five. The Heat starters shot a combined 15-of-47 (31.9%) scoring just 44 points.

Hassan Whiteside took the night off playing in just 12 minutes and committing twice as many fouls (4) as he had points (2). Heat leading scorer Josh Richardson scored 19 points but had to take 19 shots to do so.

On the flip side, the Raptors’ starters combined for 83 points on 31-of-57 shooting (54.4%). Kawhi Leonard once again led the team with 29 points and 10 rebounds. Pascal Siakam came through again, scoring 21 and only missing one of his nine field goals. Kyle Lowry and Jonas Valanciunas both dropped double-doubles.

Toronto ranks fourth in the NBA in points in the first period. It’s a big reason why they have the best record in the NBA: they start fast and they keep at it for all four periods.

The emergence of Siakam, whose energy rubs off on the team, combined with Leonard’s efficiency and Lowry’s leadership has Toronto off to a hot start.

Paint it Red

Toronto took advantage of Miami’s lax interior defence and assaulted the paint. The Raptors outscored the Heat 60-38. The team penetrated with little issues while Valanciunas scored easily.

The three-pointers weren’t always falling (31.4%) but Toronto led for most of the game thanks to consistently scoring inside.

Toronto ranks eighth in the NBA in the percentage of their scoring from the paint. That’s the beauty in Nick Nurse’s lineups giving both Valanciunas and Ibaka alternating runs at the five. Along with Siakam, the three-headed monster will continue being an edge for the team.

Speaking of beasts: Next, the Raptors head to Memphis to take on the Grizzlies.