Jimmy Butler had 27 points, 10 assists, 8 rebounds and 3 steals, leading the host Miami Heat to a 116-108 win over the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday night, February 24.
It was the fourth straight win for the Heat, who also got a big game from Bam Adebayo, who had 19 points, 12 rebounds and 4 assists.
Toronto’s Kyle Lowry, who had missed 4 straight games due to a sprained left thumb, returned from the injured list and had 24 points and 8 assists. Toronto’s Fred VanVleet had 24 points and 7 assists.
However, the Raptors lost their second straight game, a skid that had followed 4 consecutive victories.
Miami’s Goran Dragic, who had missed 9 straight games due to an ankle injury, returned and scored 15 points off the bench.
The Heat were without Tyler Herro, Avery Bradley and Meyers Leonard.
Toronto, thanks to 9-for-14 3-point shooting and 12 points from Lowry, led 35-32 after the first quarter. The Raptors shot 60% overall.
However, Miami built a 15-point lead in the second quarter before settling for a 66-56 advantage at the break.
The Heat built their lead by attacking the rim. In the first half, they outscored the Raptors in the paint, 22-14, and they were also +6 on the offensive glass.
Toronto came out hot in the 3rd quarter, using a 12-2 run to tie the score, 68-68. But Miami responded, taking a 92-85 lead into the fourth.
VanVleet made a spectacular two-point shot to end the 3rd quarter. He was knocked off the ball, hit the deck, got up, regained possession and hit an 18-footer at the buzzer.
Butler then took over in the fourth quarter, scoring 14 points. He also had a key assist that led to an Adebayo bucket with 32 seconds left, giving Miami a 114-106 lead.
For the game, Miami shot 46.3% from the floor, including 17-for-38 on 3-pointers (44.7%). Toronto shot 50% from the floor, including 20-for-44 on 3-pointers (45.5%).
Miami was also +7 on offensive rebounds, +10 on paint points and plus-11 on made free throws. – Rappler.com
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