A few days after an interminable confrontation in Florida which had turned to the advantage of the Canadians, Heat and Raptors did it again, this time in the capital of Ontario.
Eager to take revenge, and severely corrected by the Celtics in Boston yesterday, the Heat started on a high note: a first quarter at 11/20 on shots and 16 rebounds to take a 10-point lead after twelve minutes ( 32-22). The strong man of Erik Spoelstra’s training is called Bam Adebayo, who compiles 9 points and 4 rebounds. On the Toronto side, it is the scorer in very good shape currently, Gary Trent Jr, who limits the breakage with 7 points.
Led by Scottie Barnes and Precious Achiuwa, the Raptors rebound to 40-34 at the start of the second quarter. But the Heat reacted accordingly and following a hot shot from Max Strus (3/4 behind the arc) then an “and-one” from Jimmy Butler, widened the gap again and went to +12, 46- 34 then 53-41 when Tyler Herro also sets the sights (9 points at 4/5). While Pascal Siakam is fighting against himself (3 faults), “GTJ” continues to accumulate quality offensive actions for the Raptors (17 points in the first half). At halftime, Bam Adebayo is still the best player on the floor (19 points at 7/8 and 6 rebounds) and the Heat have a comfortable lead (62-50).
A decisive third quarter
Under the impetus of a Fred VanVleet who started the second half on fire (11 points in 5 minutes, 14 points during the third quarter), the Raptors picked up again at -4 (68-64 ). This time, the Heat fails to widen the gap because very clumsy (7/22 on the quarter), and only has a 3-point lead (83-80) after 36 minutes. The strong men of the match continue to provide: a double-double for Adebayo (24 points, 10 rebounds) and Siakam (11 points and 10 rebounds), and a still hot wrist for Trent Jr (25 points at 9/16) .
Miami therefore begins the last act on a bad dynamic and what must happen, happens: the visitors cash a 10-2 and Toronto passes in front (90-85). Proud, this Heat team nevertheless reacts after a time-out and sticks a 9-2 to go back in front (93-92). But Gary Trent Jr has a penchant for pyromania and the back catches fire and scores 3 winning shots in a few seconds to sign a break at the start of “money-time” (100-93). Through Jimmy Butler and Tyler Herro, the Heat returned to -2 (108-106) in the final seconds, but missed out on a throw-in from the Raptors, who killed the match with a “lay-up” of OG Anunoby. Third consecutive loss for the Heat, the second in four days against the Raptors.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
Franchise record tied for Gary Trent Jr. The guard signed a fifth consecutive game with 30+ points scored. He thus joins DeMar DeRozan, who was also 5 games away, and becomes… the “all-time” co-leader of the Toronto franchise. He also became the only player in history, alongside James Harden, Stephen Curry and Damian Lillard, to achieve five straight 30+ point games with 5 or more award-winning shots. One hell of a night for Gary Trent’s son.
Nick Nurse’s rotations still tight. The Raptors coach called on 4 substitutes, but two of them (Banton and Champagnie) did not exceed 8 minutes. So it’s actually 7 players who made up the Toronto tactician’s rotation. An increasingly recurrent choice for him.
TOPS/FLOPS
✅ Bam Adebayo. His first quarter with 9 points and 4 rebounds was the harbinger of a great game. And indeed, the pivot released a huge performance: 32 points (11/17), 11 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals. Enough to present a credible record of replacing the All-Star Game and steal the place, potentially, of Jimmy Butler?
✅ Gary Trent Jr, who signed a franchise record and especially sickened the Heat in the “money-time” with his outside shots of madness. The former Dukie finished the match with 33 points at 11/20, including 6/10 from behind the arc. He is in the best shape of his career, and it is particularly pleasant to observe.
✅ Precious Achiuwa. Big activity deployed by the pivot coming off the bench against his former team. In 19 minutes, he brings 12 points and 7 rebounds, and an irreproachable attitude.
✅ Pascal Siakam. Hampered by faults in the first half, the strong winger found a way to weigh in the second half and finally delivered a very strong double-double: 16 points and 14 rebounds, but also 4 assists and 3 steals. The strongman of the second period for the Raptors, with Gary Trent Jr.
⛔️ The Heat’s backcourt. Gabe Vincent and Duncan Robinson completely missed their match and compiled 8 points at 2/12 on shots. The first very quickly left the responsibilities of creation to Jimmy Butler and Tyler Herro, when the second was preferred to Max Strus to ensure the “spacing” and the exterior shots.
THE FOLLOWING
Toronto (26-23): reception of the Bulls on Thursday
Miami (32-20): heading to Texas to face Spurs on Thursday
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