Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images
The Toronto Raptors and the Miami Heat square off tonight at the Air Canada
Center for their second meeting of the season. The Raptors are in a rough spot: They’ve lost nine of their last ten, and are giving up 112 points per game during their four game losing streak. Against the Heat, they’ve lost 17 straight. Their last victory against the Heat occurred just after the dawn of the new decade: Jan. 27, 2010. Hopefully snapping this streak can light a fire under the sleep-walking Raptors.
Cage’s Keys to the Game
Consistency
Keep in mind that this is still a young team at it’s core, so inconsistency is expected to a degree. But this problem has become aneurism inducing. Remember, this turmoil comes directly after this team beat four of the league’s better team’s, including the number one seed in the Eastern
Conference, in consecutive games. Every time their offense picks up, their defense slumps, and vice versa. This team has to start a new trend tonight by being focused on both ends of the floor. Terrence Ross, the poster-boy for maddening inconsistency, will play a huge part in this team’s ability to reverse its fortunes.
Box-Out
The Heat currently rank last in the league in rebounding. Despite this, boxing out and winning the glass should be a primary concern for the Raptors. Hassan Whiteside has been an absolute monster since ripping away a place in the Heat’s starting five. He’s averaging 9.8 rebounds on the season, 11.5 this month, and 13 in his last 10 games. Jonas Valanciunas will be key in containing Whiteside. Dwyane Wade can also be a threat on the glass out of the backcourt. He’s averaged five boards in his career, and burned the Raptors for 11 back in November. Points off the glass is the easiest way to score for a team that ranks 28th in the league in offence. That is where the game will be decided.
Play With Fire
From the mouth of Kyle Lowry: “We need to play. We don’t need no kick in the ass. We’ve literally been getting our ass kicked. So we shouldn’t need that type of first half. We should be able to go out and do it.” The Raptors have been outscored by a total of 39 points in the first quarter this season. It’s the only quarter they’re losing. They’re 1-9 in their last 10, they’ve slipped to the fourth side, and are only two games up on the Washington Wizards for home-court advantage in a potential series. The Raptors do have an easy schedule the rest of the way, and I still believe they’re in a good position to win the first seven game series in franchise history. But now’s the time to wake-up. Start the game with fire, end it with fire, and go into the post-season with fire.
X-Factor: Jonas Valanciunas
Despite having players like Goran Dragic and Wade, it’s Whiteside who’ll be the key to the Heat’s success. The Raptors should give the ball to Valanciunas early to try to create foul trouble for this year’s Cinderella story. This will undermine his ability to protect the net, opening things up for the Raptor’s perimeter players. Also, establishing Valanciunas is key for the Raptors offensive consistency. They tend to live and die by the jumper, but throwing the ball to Val can create easier scoring opportunities for this team when in need. Establishing Val will not only be key for tonight, but for the rest of the season.
