GAME PREVIEW: Heat travel to Canada to play Toronto Raptors

Game story:

The Miami Heat are coming off arguably one of the best wins of the entire season Monday night in Brooklyn. In a game that the Heat trailed by 15+ points most of the first half, the Heat snuck out the victory in OT, improving to 24-16 on the season and winners of 3 straight.

Tonight the Heat travel to Toronto Canada in hopes of continuing their streak and taking down RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley, Scottie Barnes and the new look Raptors.

The Raptors are sporting an underwhelming 15-25 record, good for 12th in the East and even outside of the Play-In picture.

Miami is tied with the Cleveland Cavaliers for the 4th seed, and only trail the 3rd seed by 2.5  games despite being the most injured team in the entire NBA.

The way the Heat have continuously won games with star players and core guys being in and out of the line up all season has been impressive.

It justify’s the reason why Coach Spoelstra got locked into an 8-year lucrative contract extension with Miami.

Spo always finds a way with this team no matter who is available.

Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Kevin Love both missed the last game due to injuries. They are listed as OUT again tonight.

The big 3 of Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro were elite against Brooklyn.

Butler finished with 31/5/4 and game winning free throws in his return from missing extended time due to injury. He was an efficient 8/12 from the field and a dominate 15/16 from the free throw line.

Herro posted 29/11/2 on 50% shooting and a +16 on the floor.

The box score doesn’t explain just how important and clutch Herro’s shooting was during that game. His 3 pointers sparked the Miami run following halftime on route to the come back from being down double digits.

Not to mention his huge 4Q and OT buckets down the stretch. Herro’s floater game was deadly.

Bam Adebayo struggled shooting the ball, but was still able to put together a monster 11 point and 20 rebound double double.

As a team, Miami shot only 37.9% from the field and 25.8% from deep, but was still able to grind out the victory in what was a very low scoring game for both teams.

Tonight, all eyes are on the new Raptors duo of RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley.

Both are newly acquired Toronto players who have had their battles in New York as a Knick against the Heat over the years.

They still have the talented and long Scottie Barnes and as of right now, Pascal Siakam.

Siakam has been on the trade block for the Raptors and could be playing one of his last games with the franchise.

Tonight’s game will tip off at 7:30 PM ET on Bally Sports Florida.

Injury Report (at the time of this publishing):

Miami Heat:

• Jaime Jaquez Jr. (groin) — OUT
• Kevin Love (shoulder) — OUT
• Jamal Cain (g league) — OUT
• RJ Hampton (g league) — OUT
• Dru Smith (knee) — OUT

Toronto Raptors:

• Dick Gradey (thumb) — Questionable
• Gary Trent Jr. (illness) — Questionable
• Jakob Poeltl (ankle) — OUT
• Otto Porter Jr. (knee) — OUT
• Christian Koloko (illness) — OUT
• Markquis Nowell (g leauge) — OUT

Projected Starting 5 (subject to change):

Miami Heat:

• Kyle Lowry, G
• Tyler Herro, G
• Jimmy Butler, F
• Nikola Jovic, F
• Bam Adebayo, C

Toronto Raptors:

• Immanuel Quickley, G
• Scottie Barnes, G
• RJ Barrett, F
• Pascal Siakam, F
• Jontay Porter, C

Betting Lines:

• Check the current odds out at FanDuel!

Broadcast Info:

• Tipoff: 7:30 PM EST
• TV: Bally Sports Sun (Eric Reid, John Crotty)
• Radio: AM 560 Sports WQAM & The HEAT Radio Network (Jason Jackson)
• Spanish Radio: WAQI 710 AM & The HEAT Spanish Radio Network (José Pañeda)

Come back to Hot Hot Hoops at game time to join our GameThread and chat about the game live with other Heat fans!

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