Toronto Raptors: 15 greatest NBA playoff moments

Toronto Raptors - DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
Toronto Raptors - DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /
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Toronto Raptors, Terrence Ross
Toronto Raptors – Terrence Ross (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /

8. 2016 Eastern Conference Semifinals: Game 2 vs. Heat

Following a heartbreaking overtime loss in game one of the series, the No. 2-seeded Raptors were down 0-1 in the second round of the 2016 NBA Playoffs.

Teams that fall behind 0-2 in a seven-game series have a combined record of 21-281 for a winning percentage of under seven percent. To make matters worst, Toronto already lost home-court advantage. Game 2 was as much of a must-win as any non-elimination could be.

The Raptors came out like their season was on the line. They crawled into Miami’s skin on defense and forced 11 first-quarter turnovers. They also crashed the glass, grabbing five offensive boards. Toronto attempted more than twice as many first-quarter shots as Miami and were up 10 after one.

The Heat controlled the middle of the game. They outscored the Raptors by three during the second quarter and nine during the third. Heading into the fourth, Toronto trailed by two.

There were three lead changes and three different ties in the fourth quarter alone. The teams traded blows like Ali v. Frazier. With 10 seconds remaining, the game was tied. Toronto had the ball and one last chance to end this game in regulation.

Kyle Lowry brought the ball up the court. He isolated at the top of the key, pounded the rock for a few seconds and attempted a nasty step-back jumper. It was online and…..airballed. At the end of four periods, the game was not over and would be heading for a second consecutive overtime.

This overtime worked out much different than the one in Game o1e. With the season essentially on the line, when Toronto needed it the most, their defense stepped up.

The Heat didn’t score their first overtime points until there were 24 seconds remaining in the period. Toronto survived with a W and gave themselves a chance to still win the series.