There’s no time for the full game day preview, friends. However, I’ll still provide you will some of my expertise before the game tonight.
The Miami Heat have won 8 straight games and visit the Toronto Raptors after winning the last contest in Toronto a few weeks back by a score of 104-95. The Raps will try to get back to their winning ways and continue to hold the top spot in the Atlantic Division.
The Raps have yet to beat Miami in the LeBron James era, and there’s likely a good reason behind that. I’m not going to do the Cage’s 5 Keys today, but it’s clear that to win the Raptors need to somehow limit LBJ. Their offense starts with him or Dwyane Wade virtually every possesion, and limiting their point of attack is the only real chance the Raptors have.
Offensively, Rudy Gay will have to be much better than usual. He has played some pretty good basketball against LeBron in the past, so you never know. DeMar DeRozan will need to contain Wade, something he hasn’t done well in the past.
The area the Raps can exploit the Heat in is size. Jonas Valanciunas was killing the Heat on the inside last time they played, and was rewarded by a seat on the bench in the 4th. If the Raps want this one, they will need solid wing play, but establishing inside dominance will truly give them a chance. So please Dwane Casey, don’t be ridiculous tonight. The Heat are tough enough already.
To sum things up, the Raps need pretty much everything to go right to win this one.
