You could not have asked for a better effort from the Toronto Raptors tonight, as they clashed head-to-head with the ever so powerful Miami Heat. Despite a 123-116 loss in overtime, the Raptors certainly deserve the benefit of the doubt in this one. Of course, Miami is still Miami, and we are still the Toronto Raptors. Nevertheless, I don’t think anyone expected us to put up this good of a fight against a team of Miami’s caliber. As usual however, it was a great effort, but a tough result.
Offense: A+
Judging by the circumstances, I personally think the Raptors had their best offensive performance all year. While playing this Heat team, your execution on the offensive end has to be just as precise as theirs, and the Raptors certainly did that. Having a combined seven players in double-digits scoring wise, the Raptors got a lift offensively from not only their starters, but their bench as well. They took high percentage shots, and were stellar behind the arc (14-31/45%). If only the defense could’ve been a tad bit better..
Defense: C-
Containing the likes of LeBron James, and Dwayne Wade, is never an easy task. The Raptors, as expected, failed to do so, and found themselves with a great degree of difficulty having to guard those two. The duo combined for 66 points, and opened the game up for Miami on the offensive end of the floor. As good as James and Wade were tonight, the Raptors weren’t able to prevent their supporting cast from making buckets either. As side from Wade and James, the rest of this Miami Heat team shot 20-40 (50%), as the team in its entirety combined to shoot 55%.
Rebounding: D-
This stat is a bit overrated, for both teams were knocking down shots. However, that doesn’t mean the Raptors were good on the glass. As good as the Raptors were today, they were absolutely horrible on the in the rebounding category. They were out-rebounded by almost twice their margin (53-28), and allowed the Heat to re-gain extra possessions, by allowing them haul down 16 offensive rebounds for themselves.
Game Ball: Tonight’s game ball goes to none other than “The King”, LeBron James, as he had himself yet another impressive performance (surprise, surprise). Putting up a stat-line of 31 points, 10 rebounds, and 11 assists, LeBron was all over the floor tonight, helping out in more ways than one. He was the best player on the floor tonight, and was key for Miami in tonight’s victory.
Photo Source: Mike Erhmann/Ghetty Images
