Toronto Raptors: 3 best team games so far in 2020-21 season
By Mike Luciano
2. Jan 22 (101-81) vs. Miami Heat
The Toronto Raptors shut down Miami without Jimmy Butler
The Raptors could’ve folded the Heat beat the stuffing out of them in their prior matchup, but Nurse was able to rally the troops and summon what has been their best defensive effort of the season. The Heat made just seven of their 31 attempts from deep, and Kendrick Nunn looked like the only player that had any interest in putting the ball in the basket. While Miami scored just 81 points, a total that is by far the fewest points Toronto has allowed in a game this season, Norman Powell and OG Anunoby combined for 44 points to lead the offense as the Raptors extinguished the Heat.
The Raptors’ perimeter defense is something that Nurse and the squad could hang their hat on, both in their championship season and in their up-and-down 2020-21 campaign. Butler and Tyler Herro would certainly have given the Heat more teeth on the offensive end, but Miami likes to chuck it from deep, and the Raptors made a point of taking their preferred weapon away and making them play left-handed. If they could shut down a team of Miami’s caliber, there is still hope that they could make a playoff run.