Miami Heat Look to Rebound Vs Raptors
The Miami Heat look to improve to over .500 on the season against the 5-1 Toronto Raptors Sunday.
Heat (3-3) vs Raptors (5-1)
Where: AmericanAirlines Arena
When: 6 PM ET
Watch: Fox Sports Sun/League Pass
The Miami Heat will host the Toronto Raptors as the Heat look to clinch their fourth win of the season in hopes to keep their record above .500. The Raptors have gotten off to a solid start this season with five wins out of six games.
The Heat on the other hand have looked extremely average. After six games, the Heat find themselves 3-3, which is a cause for mild concern. After spending big money to resign both Dragic and Wade, the Heat were expected to be a top-four team in the East, but they seem to be stuck in the world of mediocrity. A win versus the surging Raptors at home could help them get on the right track.
Matchup: Jonas Valanciunas vs. Hassan Whiteside
Two centers, both of which are averaging double doubles this year, will be the biggest matchup of this game. Understanding it’s only been six games, Valanciunas is off to a career year. So far, Valanciunas is averaging 14.5 points and 11 rebounds per game, while shooting 59 percent from the field.
The Heat will have to depend on the completely unpredictable Whiteside to slow down the red-hot Raptor center. Whiteside is averaging 3.7 blocks per game, but he has a history of getting into foul trouble. Fortunately for the 26-year-old center, he’s improved on his fouling habits, and is only averaging 2.2 personal fouls so far this season.
X-Factor: DeMar DeRozan
Over the years, DeRozan has shaped up to be an impressive scorer, but he has a tendency to struggle with efficiency. He’s averaging 22.3 points per game, but he’s only shooting an adequate 42.9 percent. It’ll also be interesting to see if Dwyane Wade will be able to defend the much younger and athletic guard.
Even though DeRozan has struggled shooting this year, he’s done a great job of getting to the line. Through six games, DeRozan is averaging 11.2 visits to the charity stripe.
Can Goran Dragic Find His Groove?
Its only been a few games, but Dragic has not looked like the player who earned the five-year $85 million contract the Heat signed him to this past summer. Through six games, Dragic is averaging 12.5 points and 4.3 assists per night. In his last full season with the Suns, Dragic averaged 20.3 points and 5.9 assists a contest.
If the Heat want any chance at being a true title contender, they need Dragic to return to his former self. Especially considering this team doesn’t really have a true backup point guard. Both Tyler Johnson and Mario Chalmers play like undersized two’s.