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Shorthanded Raptors face off vs. O'Neal, Heat

Mar 28, 2007 - 1:57 PM Miami (38-32) at Toronto (38-32) 7:00 pm EDT

TORONTO (Ticker) -- The Toronto Raptors are almost set for their first postseason trip in five years. But their rotation is starting to fall apart.

The undermanned Raptors aim to move forward without two key players Wednesday when they welcome in the defending champion Miami Heat.

On Tuesday, the Raptors fell to the Boston Celtics, 95-87. Toronto lost more than just the game as rookie forward-center Jorge Garbajosa sustained a season-ending left ankle injury.

The 6-9 Spaniard had successful surgery Tuesday to repair a displaced joint, torn ligament and broken bone and will need up to six months to rehabilitate the ankle. He was averaging 8.5 points and 4.9 rebounds in 67 games.

Toronto is already without No. 1 overall pick Andrea Bargnani, who had an appendectomy a week ago and is expected to be sidelined up to a month.

"It seems like the last week or so, we've been dropping like flies," Raptors forward Morris Peterson said. "We have a lot of guys injured. We understand that's part of the game and we're trying to finish the season strong. Other guys are going to have to step up now."

The Heat are riding high after taking sole possession of first place in the Southeast Division with Tuesday's 106-89 triumph over the Memphis Grizzlies.

Miami holds a one-half game advantage over the Washington Wizards (37-32) in the division.

Heat All-Star Shaquille O'Neal scored 22 points in the win, passing Reggie Miller for 12th on the NBA's all-time scoring list with 25,291 points.