3 preseason contenders the Raptors have outperformed in 2022
By Mike Luciano
2. Miami Heat
The Heat have one of their two wins on the season against the Raptors, but they have some clear holes on the roster that can be exploited by a coaching staff that has enough acumen. With a 2-5 start, Erik Spoelstra’s group is leaking coolant to begin the season.
The Heat are 26th in scoring, with Max Strus being the only bench player that is actually performing well. Kyle Lowry is shooting just 35% from the field, while Gabe Vincent and Duncan Robinson have fallen off a cliff. Even the standout performances of Jimmy Butler aren’t enough to keep Miami winning. Precious Achiuwa proved that.
The Toronto Raptors can beat the Miami Heat.
The struggling Warriors picked up a win against Miami, while the previously winless Kings were able to splice apart the Heat defense to the point where they finally pulled out the win. The Heat’s lack of tremendous go-to scoring might be what ends up doing them in.
Miami and Toronto are built in very similar fashions from a stylistic and philosophical point of view. If the Raptors don’t get their own problems sorted out, they could end up tumbling down the standings in the Eastern Conference in much the same fashion as Miami.