Capsule preview of the Heat-Raptors second-round series
May 2, 2016 - 8:14 PM A look at the Eastern Conference semifinal series between the Miami Heat and Toronto Raptors that begins Tuesday (with regular-season and playoff records):No. 2 TORONTO RAPTORS (56-26, 4-3) vs. No. 3 MIAMI HEAT (48-34, 4-3)
Season series: Raptors, 3-1. The Heat drilled the Raptors at home in November, rolling to a 20-point victory. But DeMar DeRozan asserted himself in the remaining three games, a 108-94 win in Miami in December, a 101-81 win in Toronto on Jan. 22 and a 112-104 overtime win in March in Toronto.
Story line: The new kids on the block vs. the proud vets. DeRozan, Kyle Lowry and the Raptors ended Toronto's 15-year drought with a hard-fought win over Indiana in the first round. Now they get, Dwyane Wade, Joe Johnson and the battle-tested Heat, whose experience paid big dividends in overwhelming the Charlotte Hornets in their Game 7 victory.
Key Matchup: DeRozan vs. Johnson. The Raptors All-Star shooting guard was shaky in the first round, but was super-aggressive in taking 32 shots to get 30 points in the clincher against Indiana. In Toronto's three wins over the Heat in the regular season, DeRozan averaged 33.7 points and could need to carry the load again because his All-Star backcourt mate Lowry shot 33.8 percent against Miami. Johnson averaged 21.9 points to lead Brooklyn to a playoff win over Toronto in 2014 series, and averaged 25 points in his two games at Toronto this season.
X-Factor: Wade. He's not the same Flash who dominated entire series in his younger days. But he always seems to find a way to summon the big moment when the Heat need it most. His leadership and determination against a Raptors team that may still be relieved from finally getting a playoff win could provide the difference.
Prediction: Heat in 7.
No one has shouted yet.
Be the first!
Be the first!
Related News
- Toronto Raptors Reportedly Trade Pascal Siakam to Indiana Pacers Jan 17
- Shaquille O’Neal To Be First To Have Jersey Retired by Magic Jan 4
- LeBron James Has Been At His Best for Many Birthdays Dec 29
- Toronto Raptors vs Utah Jazz Final: 126-119 — Raptors lose third straight Dec 23
- Toronto Raptors vs. Utah Jazz: Preview, TV Schedule, Injuries, and More Dec 23
- Raptors vs 76ers Score 121-111: Raptors blow hot start as Embiid continues his streak Dec 22
- TRADE RUMOURS: Knicks interested in Anunoby, Siakam destinations and more Dec 22
- Toronto Raptors vs Philadelphia 76ers: Preview, TV Schedule, Injuries and more Dec 22
- TMU Bold vs UConn Huskies Final 111-34: Aaliyah Edwards dominates in Homecoming game Dec 21
- Raptors-Nuggets Final: 113-104 — Denver show off its championship skills against Toronto Dec 20
- Toronto Raptors vs Denver Nuggets: Preview, TV Schedule, Injuries and more Dec 20
- Raptors vs Hornets 114-99: Barnes shines, Trent Jr emerges in comeback win Dec 18