Key takeaways from the Toronto Raptors win against the Heat

The Toronto Raptors learn from their past mistakes and are able to defeat the Miami Heat.

Coming off a loss against the Miami Heat on Wednesday night, the Toronto Raptors returned the favor, as they arose victorious the second time around. In a battle of two teams that play in Florida, Pascal Siakam and the Raptors came out with tremendous intensity and determination right from the jump. Despite the absence of Kyle Lowry due to a toe infection, the Raptors looked like the Raptors of old. Here are a few key takeaways from the Toronto Raptors dominant win on Friday night.

1. Great energy in the first quarter

The Raptors wasted no time when it came to putting their stamp on this game. In this first 12 minutes of action, the Raptors posted 37 points, mostly due to Norman Powell carrying the load on offense with 14 points in the first quarter, while holding the Heat to only 20 points.  Powell averages 16 points per game as a starter in this season, and he nearly eclipsed that total in the first quarter alone.

The recipe for Toronto being as dominant as they were was their defense leading to their offense. The Raptors were able to force stops and come back the other way to hit some clutch three-pointers on the other end. Toronto connected on 8 threes while limiting the Heat to only a single made field goal from long distance.

Another pleasant surprise was the play of Aron Baynes. His intensity on the defensive end, along with his tenacity on the glass helped get Raptors fans off of his back, for one night at least. His defense on Bam Adebayo was tremendous, as Adebayo was only able to convert on one opportunity in the paint.

#2: Stormin’ Norman came to play

The Raptors needed someone to pick up the scoring load with Lowry on the mend, and Powwll responded by totaling 23 points, 19 of which came in the first half. His play in the first half was essential in Toronto being able to form and maintain the cushion that they had.

Powell’s white-hot start to the game was the gamechanger that helped Toronto gain control of the game with Lowry being out. Despite finishing with 23 points, the impact of Powell in the first quarter makes up for his lack of productivity in the second half.

Just the presence of Norman on the court was enough to give the Raptors the edge offensively. The Heat defense began to key in on him, as it allowed the Raptors to space out the floor even more since there had to be a defender stuck on Powell. Powell might have some poor performances here and there, but when he’s called into the starting lineup, he always shows up to play, and that makes him an invaluable member of this Raptors team.

#3: Maturity on full display in the third quarter

The Raptors entered the second half with a 13 point lead and in full control of the game, however, the Heat quickly erased that, gathering all the momentum on their side while shutting town Nick Nurse’s offensive attack. The Raptors were unable to stop the dribble penetration from the Miami guards, as Gabe Vincent was getting to the paint at will. Despite the early struggles from Toronto, they took the punch from the Heat and responded with poise and aplomb.

The Raptors finished the third on a 12-3 run, retaining that momentum that Miami pilfered from them. In a season that has seen Toronto frequently blow leads in the second half, they showed some grit and determination in this game, and that trend bodes well as they try to get back to the postseason.

Over the course of this young season, we have seen the Raptors just sulk in their woes and lose that game they once had control over. The way Toronto was able to battle back showed glimpses of the Toronto Raptors of old.

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