Game Preview: Heat v Raptors

The Toronto Raptors travel to South Florida to tangle with the Miami Heat at
American Airlines Arena on Saturday night. The Raptors (38-27) have alternated
wins and losses over their last four games, and they remain in control of the
fourth seed in the Eastern Conference for the time being. Toronto dropped a
105-99 decision to the Atlanta Hawks on Friday night at Phillips Arena. DeMar
DeRozan led the way with 28 points, which he supplemented with eight rebounds,
six assists and two steals. Serge Ibaka posted 18 points, three rebounds, two
assists and one block. Cory Joseph produced a solid stat line of 15 points,
eight assists, two rebounds and four steals. DeMarre Carroll and Jonas
Valanciunas turned in matching 11-point efforts, with the latter also hauling in
12 rebounds. Norman Powell paced the bench with 12 points, four rebounds and
three steals. The Raptors check in to Saturday’s game with Kyle Lowry (thumb) as
their one injury of note. The Heat (31-34) have continued their winning ways
recently, as they check in to Saturday riding a modest three-game winning
streak. They’ve also notched victories in seven of their last nine games, a
stretch that’s pulled them to within just a half-game of the eighth-seeded
Milwaukee Bucks in the Eastern Conference. Miami most recently defeated the
Charlotte Hornets by a 108-101 score on Wednesday night. Dion Waiters continued
his excellent season with a team-high 24 points, which he supplemented with five
assists, three rebounds and one steal. Goran Dragic contributed 22 points, 10
assists, six boards and one steal. Luke Babbitt was next with 12 points and four
boards. Hassan Whitesid supplied a 10-point, 15-rebound double-double that also
included four blocks and two steals. James Johnson led the bench with 10 points,
six rebounds, five assists, three blocks and one steal. The Heat will come in to
Saturday without any injuries of note. Saturday’s game marks the second of four
meetings between the teams this season. Toronto drew first blood with a 96-87
victory in Toronto on Nov. 4.