Miami is slugging it out with Toronto in a laughably low-scoring series that features plenty of over-dribbling and bricks galore. Though both games have gone to overtime, the Heat and Raptors are averaging just 97 and 96 points apiece.
Game 1
The Heat survived an early scare, as Hassan Whiteside lost his footing on a roll to the rim and landed awkwardly on his leg, then exited briefly to the locker room. Meanwhile, Goran Dragic was able to carry over his momentum from Sunday’s strong Game 7 performance against the Hornets. He and Dwyane Wade combined for 50 points while the Raptors’ duo of Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan combined for 29. Lowry hit a mind-blowing half-court heave to send the contest to an extra session—much to Wade’s chagrin—but Miami dominated the extra session.
Game 2
The Heat were in position to steal this game and a 2-0 series lead heading back to Miami, but they weren’t able to seal the deal. Despite not getting the ball enough in my opinion, Jonas Valanciunas was dominant offensively. He has been giving Whiteside serious trouble when matched up one-on-one in the low post. DeMarre Carroll also came alive as well for the Raptors, who really had no business winning this game if not for the efforts of Valanciunas and Carroll. Goran Dragic took an inadvertent elbow to the face on a transition drive from DeRozan in the first half, but luckily only stitches were required. Miami’s backcourt has outplayed Toronto’s, and Josh Richardson’s length has clearly bothered Lowry through the first two bouts.
Looking Ahead
Both teams have played with four perimeter players and one big man for pretty much the entire series. That has meant Amar’e Stoudemire and Udonis Haslem splitting the backup center minutes. Despite posting a decent performance in Game 7 versus Charlotte, Josh McRoberts has yet to touch the floor.
Look for Miami to up the defensive intensity in Game 3. When Dragic is replaced by Wade in the first quarter to join Richardson in the backcourt, Whiteside is in the middle, and some combo of Luol Deng, Joe Johnson, and Justice Winslow make up the other three, that lineup can really wreak havoc.
The Heat should be happy heading home with a chance to go up 3-1 if they win both games in South Beach. However, a loss in the next two contests tosses home-court advantage right back to a feisty Raptors team that has yet to play its best basketball during the postseason. The Heat are in the driver’s seat, but the backcourt of Wade and Dragic will need to keep outplaying Lowry and DeRozan. Furthermore, they need to hope that Toronto doesn’t start feeding Valanciunas on every offensive possession, or that Whiteside begins to figure him out.
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