Gritty win. I like it.
 | Toronto | 106 | Final Box Score | 104 | Miami |  |
 B | P. Siakam34 MIN, 10 PTS, 9 REB, 1 AST, 1 STL, 4-7 FG, 0-1 3FG, 2-3 FT, 1 BLK, 6 TO, 0 +/- With Winslow and Johnson lined up to defend him, he had a tough time from start to finish. Both clever and physical defenders, something Siakam struggled with tonight. Had a rough night trying to bang around in the paint, but when he played the perimeter his defense was good. Strong finish on the defensive glass and in transition. | |
 A+ | K. Leonard35 MIN, 30 PTS, 7 REB, 2 AST, 2 STL, 9-20 FG, 2-5 3FG, 10-11 FT, 0 BLK, 2 TO, -1 +/- A real life monster, sent to haunt the dreams of anyone in Dade County. Has a unique ability to completely seal off the baseline and the basket at the same time on defense. Fought through tough defense to get difficult buckets all night long. Superstar. | |
 C | S. Ibaka30 MIN, 6 PTS, 3 REB, 3 AST, 0 STL, 2-10 FG, 1-2 3FG, 1-2 FT, 1 BLK, 1 TO, -11 +/- If Whiteside brought it (he did) this was always going to be a handful. His performance on the glass and from the field leaves a lot to be desired, but his work as a screener in the final stretch of the game is a silver lining. Looking for better performances going forward. Let’s also get him an All-Star nod this year. | |
 B+ | F. VanVleet38 MIN, 16 PTS, 1 REB, 2 AST, 0 STL, 5-12 FG, 4-8 3FG, 2-2 FT, 0 BLK, 1 TO, 1 +/- The offense wasn’t effortless and fluid tonight and he had a tough time trying to create a meaningful ‘pnr’ game in this one. With that being said, he was active on defense and hit big triples to help drag the Raptors back into this one. | |
 A | D. Green34 MIN, 18 PTS, 7 REB, 2 AST, 1 STL, 7-10 FG, 4-7 3FG, 0-0 FT, 0 BLK, 4 TO, 5 +/- A stellar “role player’s” performance. Outside of hitting the game winner he was top notch on defense, and yes, his shot-making tonight was of the highest order. Loved his game. | |
 B | O. Anunoby25 MIN, 5 PTS, 8 REB, 3 AST, 2 STL, 2-5 FG, 1-3 3FG, 0-0 FT, 0 BLK, 0 TO, 6 +/- For the 4th time in 5 games, Anunoby unlocked a style of defense that the Raptors depended on. Tireless grinding away with big men and imposing against the Heat’s diminutive wings. Hit a triple and loomed large on the defensive glass for the Raptors tonight. Gritty. | |
 A- | N. Powell16 MIN, 5 PTS, 2 REB, 2 AST, 0 STL, 2-4 FG, 1-2 3FG, 0-0 FT, 0 BLK, 1 TO, 0 +/- Even though the line is pretty small, his role as ball handler in the second unit was massive. Active on defense and made the right read time and again when moving downhill at the Heat’s defense. Impressive stuff, and massive building blocks going forward. | |
 B- | D. Wright16 MIN, 7 PTS, 3 REB, 2 AST, 2 STL, 3-5 FG, 0-1 3FG, 1-2 FT, 0 BLK, 1 TO, 1 +/- Really shines on defense when he gets to play in the zone, his anticipation and size is a nightmare for opposing guards to pass over. Had a signature ‘Delontino’ euro-step finish in traffic. Quality guard play. | |
 A- | G. Monroe11 MIN, 9 PTS, 3 REB, 0 AST, 0 STL, 3-6 FG, 0-0 3FG, 3-3 FT, 0 BLK, 0 TO, 9 +/- Exactly what the Raptors needed when he got time in the game. Busted the Heat zone with his passing in his last stint, and scored efficiently while pressing Whiteside. | |
 A | Nick Nurse When Ibaka didn’t bring everything to throw at Whiteside, Nurse unleashed the zone defense for what was definitely it’s longest stretch in the third quarter. Even after Ibaka’s struggles, going back to him at the end and letting him pair up with Leonard was a smart move. Another good gameplan, and I’d expect a few comments re: Kawhi, from him after the game. | |
Things We Saw
- Richardson and Whiteside were sublime tonight. Richardson was active bouncing off of Whiteside in the high post, and an absolute pest on defense. Whiteside was an animal. The Raptors were ill equipped to deal with him, and he made sure that was a major storyline tonight.
- The Winslow game? Had Carte Blanche when guarding Kawhi tonight, and hit a meaningful amount of threes. Also operated as the Heat’s primary ball handler down the stretch, making a couple incredibly difficult shots. Hated watching it knowing this is so far from the norm, but props to him for his performance in this one.
- The Raptors zone defense looks to be one of the more fun wrinkles of this year. Especially with Powell’s return, it could be something we see the second unit bust out with regularity. A little bit more fluidity from Nurse than earlier in the season. Lots of things to like about this game.
