The Miami Heat defeated the Toronto Raptors in a 3-point shootout for the team’s fourth consecutive victory, and the eighth victory in their last 11 games, on Wednesday, February 24.
Jimmy Butler was the star of the show tonight, ending the game with 27 points, 10 assists, eight rebounds, three steals and a block, while shooting a 3 of 4 in the center of town, the best of the season.
With about five minutes left in the game, Norman Powell of Toronto brought the game in two points, leading to Butler’s acquisition. Butler managed to hit a 3, steal Powell’s ball and hit a tray to bring the Heat seven. The player scored 14 of his 27 points in the last five minutes of the game.
Butler’s pitches were indicative of the team’s overall performance from that mark, as it ended with 44.7% of depth shots. All heat rotation players, except Bam Adebayo, Precious Achiuwa and Kelly Olynyk scored at least one of 3 points.
The Heat’s strong 3-point launch was matched by Toronto, with the Raptors reaching 20 3s and having 24-point performances from Fred VanVleet and Kyle Lowry, but it was not enough.
Six of Miami’s nine rotating players ended in double digits and all players ended up with at least one scoreboard. Duncan Robinson continued to kick away from the ball, finishing with 17 points and four of 3 points. Meanwhile, Bam Adebayo considered not having been named an All-Star personally, as he dominated Toronto with 19 points, 12 rebounds and four assists. Six of Adebayo’s 12 rebounds were on the offensive glass, helping Miami’s 42-32 rebound advantage.
Goran Dragic returned to the squad for the Heat and looked agile after not playing since February 5. “The Dragon” ended the game with 15 points, adding to an impressive overall performance on the Heat bench, even without Tyler Herro.
Also off the bench, André Iguodala got four points from 3 to 12 points, while Gabe Vincent got three points from 3, ending with 11 points. Even players who didn’t score for the Heat found ways to impact the game. Olynyk shot poorly, but added seven points and, most importantly, seven rebounds and four assists.
Kendrick Nunn had an equally impressive game, getting three assists early on in a seven-assist game. Although Nunn is an excellent top scorer for the Heat, he will be able to make a more lasting impact if he is able to expand the plays he showed tonight.
Miami’s victory takes the team to a 15-17 mark, finally pushing the Heat into the playoffs image in the seventh seed and, surprisingly, first in the Southeast Division. With a seemingly lighter schedule after the All-Star break, Miami entering this impressive extension has huge implications for what it can accomplish for the rest of the season.
The Heat will then face Utah Jazz in a rematch from a previous February game, in which Miami lost 18 points. Utah is an impressive 25-6, so a win would obviously be a great confidence builder and a stepping stone. This game is Friday, February 26, with delivery scheduled for 8pm. Be sure to follow the Hot Hot Hoops!