NBA Playoffs on Sling TV: Toronto at Miami
#2 Toronto Raptors vs. #3 Miami Heat, Series tied 1-1
(5pm ET Saturday, ESPN)
The Raptors jumped out to a 10-point lead in the first quarter, as they scored 7 off Miami turnovers. But the Heat’s Joe Johnson would catch fire for 2 minutes and 25 seconds in the 3rd quarter, scoring 9 points on 4-of-4 shooting to pull Miami within 2, and by the end of the frame, they were up 2. This was Miami’s game for the taking, as the 4th quarter saw them up 6 with just 4:15 to play, but Jonas Valanciunas took control, scoring 6 points and grabbing 4 rebounds down the stretch, as Toronto tied it up in regulation.
In overtime, the Raptors jumped out to the lead on a DeMar DeRozan 10-footer, and then went ice cold, making just 1 of 5 from the floor, but sank all 6 free throw attempts to outscore Miami 10-6 in OT for a 96-92 win.
Miami has to be kicking themselves, as they shot better from the floor, from downtown and from the free throw line, and controlled the boards 45-39, but gave Toronto so many second chances on 21 turnovers and sending them to the line 26 times, that the Raptors were able to steal a win.
Goran Dragic continued to score, getting 20 for the third straight game, but Dwyane Wade was held to 17 points (7-of-17), and made 5 turnovers. For Toronto, DeRozan scored 20, to go with 8 rebounds, DeMarre Carroll had 21 points and 5 rebounds, Valanciunas went 15-12, and Kyle Lowry had 18 points, 4 rebounds and 6 assists, and all four of them had at least 3 steals.
Watch the Toronto Raptors vs. the Miami Heat at 5pm ET Saturday on ESPN.
All stats courtesy ESPN and Basketball Reference