Despite the turmoil around Jimmy Butler, the Heat continue to win. For the first time this season, the Floridians scored a 4th victory in a row by pushing back the Raptors last night (114-104), deprived of Scottie Barnes.
Author of a relatively discreet evening, the leader of the Heat, who did not play in the fourth quarter, weighed less than Tyler Herro and especially Bam Adebayo. Embarked in a duel with Jakob Poeltl, the Florida pivot scored 9 points in a row (including a winning basket on first intention) at the start of the last period to give his team a 20-point lead (102-82).
Lacking offensive inspiration, particularly at 3-points, like RJ Barrett next to his basketball, the Raptors will not really have the opportunity to worry Miami afterwards.
Nikola Jovic shows up
Gradey Dick and his team had however made the best start. In the lead after 12 minutes (23-27), the visitors even had a lead of up to 16 points in the second quarter (25-41) behind a Poeltl, who returned after two minutes of play, less embarrassed as announced by his back spasms.
But the locals, generally more aggressive towards the circle, finished the first period strong by finding support from the bench. Dru Smith brought his energy to both ends of the field while Nikola Jovic finally found the rotation to show himself at his best. Add to that the outside skill of Tyler Herro, and the Heat took the lead at the break (58-51).
This three-possession lead would gradually be aggravated until Bam Adebayo's big pass in the fourth, aggressive as the Heat would probably like to see more. Erik Spoelstra only had to manage the final while his team still let a few points slip away on the free throw line. Without consequence.
WHAT TO REMEMBER
– The East's in-form team. By signing a 4th victory in a row, the Heat can boast of being the team with the best dynamics in its conference, and even in the league, tied with the Thunder. Still in the negative at the start of the month, the Heat took advantage of a home series to recover. First with a resounding victory against the Lakers, before moving on against the Suns and Cavs. This success against the Raptors is less prestigious and undoubtedly the least sparkling of this sequence. The Floridians can continue in Detroit next Monday.
– Raptors cursed away. After a series of five home games, the Canadians are back on the road, with another defeat at the finish. With one small victory for 12 losses, they have the worst record away from home in the league, tied with the Pelicans. Symbol of this bankruptcy, RJ Barrett certainly finished with a triple-double, but with one of the most difficult evenings of his season on shots. About ten days earlier, he had scored 37 points against the same opponent. But it was at home.
– Bam Adebayo as well as Alonzo Mourning. By signing his 205th career double-double, the Heat pivot joined his illustrious predecessor Alonzo Mourning in 2nd place in the category in franchise history. He should soon overtake the leader of this ranking, Rony Seikaly (221).
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How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Pts = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
