Damn, that was tough. But also, fun!
 | Heat | 114 | Final Box Score | 109 | Raptors |  |
 A | P. Siakam43 MIN, 29 PTS, 8 REB, 5 AST, 2 STL, 11-18 FG, 1-3 3FG, 6-7 FT, 0 BLK, 4 TO, -3 +/- He was tremendous. Covered so much ground defensively, was the main cog in the Raptors offense, and kept them in it down the stretch. Took the Heat’s scheme and attention in stride and created and scored against it. Not much more you could ask of him. | |
 B | S. Barnes35 MIN, 19 PTS, 7 REB, 2 AST, 2 STL, 7-16 FG, 3-9 3FG, 2-2 FT, 0 BLK, 0 TO, -3 +/- Gave a little bit more from downtown than you might have expected. Threatened the offensive glass, and snatched a couple steals. The defense was mediocre for most of the game, as the Heat’s activity on that end can leave some of his wandering tendencies in trouble, but a pretty good game from the young man. | |
 C- | K. Birch13 MIN, 0 PTS, 2 REB, 0 AST, 0 STL, 0-2 FG, 0-1 3FG, 0-0 FT, 0 BLK, 0 TO, +3 +/- If the Raptors shooters don’t have it going, he just cant’ be on the floor. Teams play off of him way too easily on defense. | |
 A | F. VanVleet41 MIN, 29 PTS, 2 REB, 7 AST, 3 STL, 7-17 FG, 4-11 3FG, 11-11 FT, 0 BLK, 5 TO, -10 +/- Set the 3-point record in front of Kyle, and that’s a lot of fun. 11 free throws is so crazy for him, but he was getting downhill for the first time in awhile and that was great. Some really nice point of attack defense. Overall, a really strong game and he did his thing. | |
 B | G. Trent Jr.43 MIN, 19 PTS, 2 REB, 1 AST, 3 STL, 6-13 FG, 3-8 3FG, 4-4 FT, 0 BLK, 2 TO, -3 +/- The Heat had a bit too easy of a night running him off of the line, but thems the breaks I guess. He gave them a nice little offensive punch on a night where they needed a big one. Struggled containing dribble penetration, but found some success patrolling passing lanes. | |
 C | T. Young18 MIN, 2 PTS, 7 REB, 2 AST, 1 STL, 0-2 FG, 0-1 3FG, 2-4 FT, 0 BLK, 1 TO, -6 +/- Pretty good defense, but has to threaten more on the other side of the floor. The Raptors struggled with the ball stopping when the Heat were playing off of guys, and he was one of them. | |
 C+ | C. Boucher22 MIN, 8 PTS, 8 REB, 1 AST, 0 STL, 3-10 FG, 1-4 3FG, 1-2 FT, 1 BLK, 1 TO, +1 +/- The finishing inside should come around, but it’s been in a weird spot for a couple games. Great energy, just not enough finish in this one. | |
 C | P. Achiuwa21 MIN, 3 PTS, 2 REB, 1 AST, 0 STL, 1-4 FG, 0-1 3FG, 1-4 FT, 0 BLK, 1 TO, -2 +/- Had a really great start defensively, and even popped off a little bit off the bounce, but he couldn’t navigate the Heat defense well enough to justify heavy minutes late. | |
 Inc | A. Brooks5 MIN, 0 PTS, 0 REB, 0 AST, 1 STL, 0-1 FG, 0-1 3FG, 0-0 FT, 0 BLK, 0 TO, -2 +/- Quick little run in. | |
 B+ | Nick Nurse The Raptors stuck to their guns in this one, and the Heat made them pay from the corners. The scheme accomplished its process, but not its intented result. Sometimes Oladipo and Strus rain hell from downtown. | |
Things We Saw
- Kyle Lowry. GROAT. So many fun little moments in this game.
- Hopefully this means that Oladipo has turned the corner. He’s been through such hell with his injuries over the last few years.
- You can really tell how OG’s court coverage and switching was missed in this game. Some shots had a bit more clearance than usual, some drives threatened a little bit more. Need him back.
