The time finally arrived for Kyle Lowry in the 2016 NBA Playoffs. The Raptors’ two time, consecutive, NBA All-Star starter had his best game of the playoffs, erupting for 33 points with 29 of them coming in the second half. This was a welcomed sight for Lowry, his teammates, and Raptors fans everywhere, as he had been struggling with his shot throughout the playoffs, but in spite of that he was still finding other ways to help his team win.
Dwyane Wade was equally impressive for the Miami Heat, scoring 38 points, while collecting eight rebounds, and dishing out four dimes. Wade has truly turned back the clock in these playoffs, playing with a lot of energy, and effectiveness on both ends of the floor.
The Heat’s defensive anchor and shot blocker extraordinaire, Hassan Whiteside, left the game early in the second quarter and did not return after re-injuring his right knee in a fall by tangling with his teammate, Luol Deng.
Jonas Valanciunas had a monster first half, having earned a double-double by halftime with 16 points and ten rebounds. Unfortunately for the Raptors, Valanciunas rolled his right ankle after coming down on Dwyane Wade’s foot in the third quarter. Like Whiteside, Valanciunas did not return to the game.
X-rays taken for each of the big men came back negative, but it appears that each player’s availability is currently day to day.
Lowry & Wade dueled, each player going on scoring stretches with their counterpart out of the game, and traded and made big time shots back and forth down the stretch. In the end, the Raptors didn’t let the late lead they re-gained evaporate, and earned a 95-91 road win in Miami over the Heat to take a 2-1 series lead.
Game Four will be played on Monday May 9th in Miami at AmericanAirlines Arena; tip off 8pm ET.
Notable Raptors stat lines:
Patrick Patterson – Nine points, three rebounds, one steal
Jonas Valanciunas – 16 points, 12 rebounds, one steal
DeMar DeRozan – 19 points, six rebounds, five assists,
Kyle Lowry – 33 points, two rebounds, two assists, one steal
Notable Heat stat lines:
Joe Johnson – Ten points, six rebounds, two assists
Dwyane Wade – 38 points, eight rebounds, four assists
Goran Dragic – 12 points, three rebounds
Udonis Haslem – Eight points, seven rebounds, two assists
Postgame Reactions:
“The Miami Heat speak with the media following their Game 3 loss to the Raptors.”
http://www.nba.com/video/channels/playoffs/eastseries6/2016/05/07/0041500213-tor-mia-gm3-heat-post.nba/
Jonas Valanciunas
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9vhl-EpTMrQ]Dwane Casey
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ha2-CVw-bpc]Kyle Lowry & DeMar DeRozan
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JbYfoWxVK4w]Cory Joseph
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