After losing to the Heat at home in Game 1, the Toronto Raptors won a must-win Game 2 in Air Canada Centre against the Miami Heat Thursday night, winning the game 96-92 in overtime.
In the first quarter, the Heat tied a franchise record and finished the quarter with eleven turnovers. The tone was set early by Dwyane Wade’s lazy play, turning the ball over four of the Heat’s first six times. From that point forward, the effect of poor play from the Heat’s star trickled down on the rest of the team, with several players joining him by turning the ball over on lazy passes and careless mistakes.
Hassan Whiteside was Miami’s best first half player, tallying 10 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 blocks. It’s clear that when Miami includes him in the offense, he becomes more attentive on the defensive end.
Joe Johnson certainly realizes this:
Hassan Whiteside crams the big alley-oop slam off the Joe Johnson lob! #HeatNationhttps://t.co/gJdzeDTKWq
— NBA On Def Pen (@NBAOnDefPen) May 6, 2016
Despite Miami weathering the storm early and only trailing by 14 points at most, the Raptors held onto a seven point lead heading into halftime.
After halftime, the mental toughness of Miami kicked in. The Heat began climbing back and took the lead entering the fourth quarter, this coming despite a series of injuries to Miami players early on.
Goran Dragic received stitches after being elbowed by DeMar DeRozan in the third quarter:
Goran Dragic really, really needs to buy a mouthpiece. #RaptorsVHeathttps://t.co/c49FKNM4nH
— NBA On Def Pen (@NBAOnDefPen) May 6, 2016
Dwyane Wade landed awkwardly on his right knee, but later re-entered the game:
Another look at how Dwyane Wade injured his knee when Jonas Valanciunas fell on him. #HeatNation#RaptorsVHeathttps://t.co/TheLyJHic8
— NBA On Def Pen (@NBAOnDefPen) May 6, 2016
In the fourth, Toronto regained control and won the final quarter for the second straight game.
This hustle from Jonas Valanciunas and Patrick Patterson sparked the Raptors late:
2Pats on cleaning duty. #RTZ https://t.co/R0ztb71K6B
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) May 6, 2016
Nonetheless, Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan continued to struggle and shot a combined 16-48 (33%) from the field and 5-14 (36%) from the line during the game. Regardless, it was huge shots from Kyle Lowry down the stretch that kept the Raptors alive:
KYLE LOWRY. CLUTCH. AGAIN.#RAPTORSvHEAT
(via @clippittv)pic.twitter.com/iGWCQsMD1X— NBA On Def Pen (@NBAOnDefPen) May 6, 2016
The Heat would eventually respond, with Goran Dragic nailing a game-tying three pointer moments later:
Goran Dragic responds. Drills the 3 and ties the game with 10 seconds to go!#RAPTORSvHEAT
(via @clippittv) pic.twitter.com/QewbcKm2g3— NBA On Def Pen (@NBAOnDefPen) May 6, 2016
Kyle Lowry then dribbled the clock away, stepped back, and shot an airball from five feet behind the arc at the buzzer. For the second straight game, the Heat and Raptors were headed to overtime.
This time, however, Toronto would pull though. With the Heat struggling to fight through injuries, the team eventually succumbed to fatigue and the high level energy from Toronto and its home crowd in overtime. The Raptors ultimately won the period 10-6.
For Toronto, Lowry and DeRozan were supported (or saved) by the efforts of many.
Jonas Valanciunas finished with his second straight double double, 15 points and 12 rebounds. DeMarre Caroll produced 21 huge points on 7-13 shooting, and Terrence Ross provided a much needed 10 points off the bench on 5-11 shooting.
The Raptors now set their sights on this Saturday night where they head to Miami for Game 3 in hopes stealing one on the road and taking a 2-1 series lead. For the Heat, they’ll look to protect home court and close out the next two home games against Toronto, something that certainly will not be easy. The Heat must focus on winning the turnover battle next game, a battle they lost 21 to 9 tonight. Toronto must improve their free throw shooting, as they shot an abysmal 14-26 (53.8%) in all on the night.
Game 2 Star Player: Jonas Valanciunas (15 points, 12 rebounds, 3 steals, game-high +17 on the floor).
