I’ve nothing witty to say this round, so allow me to provide you with some resources. There was lots of good Raptors reading this past week; consider it homework for you all:

RR’s Oren Weisfeld talked trade stuff and the playoffs for Yahoo.

My weekly five things I dig and don’t dig came out yesterday.

The RR Crew discussed trade ideas (many a reader disagreed; chatter +/- is mission accomplished).

Samson published a great analysis of Pascal and Scottie’s court kinship.

David Thorpe for TrueHoop deep dove on Pascal’s 2nd rise to success (David’s a famous basketball brain who trains/preps players for the NBA). Unfortunately, the article’s paywalled…

Oh, also, shoutout to Andrew Wiggins: the first Canadian All-Star Starter since Steve Nash in 2012.

When I heard the news, did I consider that Dr. Strange had summoned an alternate universe where Andrew Wiggins hadn’t been thought of as one of the worst contracts in the NBA and a failed #1 overall draft pick? Yes.

Did I also think that Twitter had been hacked by Andrew’s PR team to get a final push on, perhaps, an All-Star reserve spot? Mhmm.

I was certainly befuddled. There were many players worthier, including his own teammate, Draymond Green. If we’re going to look at data comparators, I know a guy:

When arbitrary rules and orthodoxies in sports are revealed https://t.co/HXFI0DDZku

— The Gentle Watch (@AdonMoss) January 28, 2022

Several others had rightful beef with the selection:

It appears I may still yet be an in alternate reality. The Athletic outlined Andrew Wiggins’ All-Star selection and attributed much of his fan voting to a Thai K-Pop singer, BamBam; yes, that’s right, I know, no, I didn’t make it up, yes, I know that’s quite the peculiar relationship, no, I don’t know what’s stopping Drake from getting Freddy or Pascal similar votes. Oh, ya, actually I do know….

….Drake’s a big fat dingus.

Then, of course, there’s the players who vote for themselves or spit on their hands and make a pact to select each other:

Raptors players to receive all-star votes from their peers:
VanVleet: 34
Siakam: 20
Anunoby: 4
Barnes: 3
Trent/Boucher: 2
Birch/Flynn/Champagnie: 1

— Josh Lewenberg (@JLew1050) January 28, 2022

But whatcha gonna do? It’s no fault of Wiggins that Fans, Media, and Players supported his selection and that Drake’s a disloyal crudcake. Wiggins doesn’t deserve the disrespect. That should be saved for the numbskulls whoever and wherever they are.

We should uphold our Canadian brother and celebrate his success.

The Skinny

Toronto’s in Miami tonight. Anticipate hangovers. You can’t blame them. I’d be guzzling too having walked off a plane and experiencing a 35°C swing and it’s Friday in Miami. Straight to the beach with a tequila sunrise, please.

I kid. They’re professionals for goodness’ sakes…

This is the 2nd of 3 that the Heat and Raptors will play in 2 weeks. The first one was a closey. One of those many frustrating losses where the Raps got close just not close enough. It was also one of those 6-man rotation games where the Starters and Boucher played a collective total of…

…1 billion minutes.

Were it not for Miami’s bench (45 total points to our 23), Toronto still could have pulled out the W. They held Bam (who had just returned from injury), Jimmy Buckets, and Duncan Robinson to 41 total points – 10 fewer than their season average.

Expect more from everyone, particularly, Bam. He’s now had 5 additional games under his belt and is back to his All-Star self doing everything everywhere. Miami – playing the back end of a back-to-back after beating the LA Clippers last night – are 5-1 and have the 5th best net rating with Bam back. You could tell he was rusty against Toronto; he’s isn’t any longer.

Bam, Jimmy, and PJ Tucker are excellent counters to Toronto’s style of offence where they have no trouble in isolation and are happy to switch onto quicker, craftier forwards.

The hunting begins and ends with Duncan Robinson, Tyler Herro, and Gabe Vincent. The Raps forced Miami to turn to Max Strus as OG chewed up Robinson. If the Heat’s defensive big three are busy with Scottie, Pascal, and OG, it’ll fall upon, hopefully, Freddy if he plays, and GTJ who didn’t participate in the last match.

Sadly, it looks like we won’t have Pappa Kyle:

Kyle Lowry listed 'out' for Heat tonight vs. LAC (personal reasons). He's missed six games, going back to Jan. 15th. Heat host Raps Saturday.

— Michael Grange (@michaelgrange) January 28, 2022

Nor his successor Freddy V tomorrow:

Fred VanVleet is listed as questionable for tomorrow's game in Miami.

— Vivek Jacob (@vivekmjacob) January 28, 2022

Speaking of missing point guards, in case you’re wondering whether Goran Dragić will be in attendance, he may, just not on our bench:

Goran Dragic is away from the Raptors and attending Heat games

(h/t @eric_torrente ) pic.twitter.com/1INg8xG5qI

— NBACentral (@TheNBACentral) January 29, 2022

Game Info

Tip-off: 8:00pm EST | TV: TSN4, TSN5, BSSUN, TSN | Radio: SN 590

WWAB (what would Adon bet): Miami is hot as Hot Hot Heat. Both teams grind. I’m so bad at figuring out which Toronto team’s gonna show. I’d stay away, but if I had to bet:

Picks: Miami/Miami/Over

Bet wisely, my friends.