Toronto Raptors vs. Miami Heat: Heat Culture too much for depleted Raptors on the road

The Raptors drop a back and forth affair on the road to the Miami Heat.

Thanks to falling out of NBA Cup contention, both Toronto and Miami had this matchup added to their schedule, marking their third meeting in the past two weeks.

As familiar as these teams are with each other, they were pretty close in their home and home series two weeks back, each picking up the win at home.

Heading into Miami for this one, the Raptors were without their All-Star forward Scottie Barnes after he left Monday’s game against the Knicks with an ankle injury.

Already with a poor record on the road and now down multiple starters, Toronto had their work cut out for them. But, hey, this is why we play the games!

The story of this one: the saying is true, basketball is a game of runs!

Starting the game for the Raptors was an unusual mix, with Jonathan Mogbo and Bruno Fernando starting on the court instead of Jakob Poeltl and Davion Mitchell. It got the team off to a solid start, leading 5-3 after two minutes when Fernando was subbed out for the Austrian big man.

Poeltl’s impact was immediate, making a dunk on Toronto’s first possession with him in the game. The basket marked his first of 16 points in the first half, leading the team.

Along with their big man, Toronto’s leading scorers with Scottie Barnes out, RJ Barrett and Gradey Dick, lead the way for the team to take a solid lead.

Dick nailed a three to put the Heat on the ropes and force Coach Spoelstra to call a timeout. The break in play turn the tides momentum wise, with Miami storming back with five straight points to kick off a 14-4 run. The streak gave the Heat the lead, but not for long.

Toronto answered back in the form of an RJ Barrett jumper and a three from Ja’Kobe Walter, the Raptors holding on to a 27-23 lead at the end of the opening frame.

The game was all Raptors to begin the second quarter. It took almost three full minutes for the Heat to score, as Toronto kept piling the points on. Not the usual suspects this time, as it was Walter, Jamal Shead and Jamison Battle who ran up the score in Miami to a 36-23 lead.

Miami eventually would score again, Duncan Robinson ending the streak, only for Toronto to come back with five straight points. The Heat wouldn’t back down, however.

Down 41-25, the Raptors could’ve poured it on and had Miami on their heels, but this is the Heat we’re talking about. In case you hadn’t heard about “Heat Culture”, the team was kind enough to wear it front and center on their uniforms and the court. With Heat Culture on full display, Miami roared back on a 16-2 run to bring the score within two points.

Ochai Agbaji and Davion Mitchell would answer back with some points of their own, but it was no match for the red hot Heat. Miami took total control of the game, with a 17-6 run to end the half with a 58-51 lead.

Though there was a second half to play, that seemed to be the end of the road for the Raptors. Up against one of the East’s best when fully healthy, Heat Culture proved to be no joke.

Floating around a 10 point deficit for the first half of the third quarter, Miami kept right with them and never let the Raptors back into the game. Not for a lack of trying, though. Mitchell, Battle and Mogbo would keep the team in it, showing some improvement in their development.

Come the end of the quarter, Miami held a 13 point lead at 89-76, and the stranglehold of the game was on.

The Heat opened the final frame with an 13-6 run, bringing their lead up to 21 points at 102-81 only four minutes into the quarter. Miami’s offence stalled after that, letting the Raptors back into the game somewhat.

Unfortunately for the good guys, it was too little, far too late. The Raptors mustered 104 points, so would’ve meant a free Pizza Pizza slice if the game was at Scotiabank Arena, but unfortunately it was not.

At 114-104, Miami takes the W for their fourth straight, and marks Toronto’s fourth straight loss. The Raptors fall to 1-12 on the road, which they won’t have to deal with as they head home from here for a visit from the Chicago Bulls on Monday.