Thanks to another terrible third quarter, the Miami Heat fell to the Toronto Raptors on Tuesday night.
Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra has demanded consistency from his teams since entering the head coaching ranks 10 years ago. Having dropped five of their last six games, the Heat haven’t displayed that ability as of late, and the trend would continue north of the border on Tuesday.
And this time, Miami’s defense turned out to be their demise, not their salvation.
Despite 28 points from Goran Dragic and seven Heat players finishing in double figures, Miami was unable to cap off a late rally and fell to the Toronto Raptors at the Air Canada Centre, 115-112.
James Johnson recorded 16 points and seven rebounds in his return to Ontario and Wayne Ellington added 15, hitting another five 3-pointers bringing his season total to 167 through 55 games.
Dwyane Wade notched a double-double off the bench with 10 points and 11 rebounds for a Heat team that is in near free-fall mode in the Eastern Conference.
DeMar DeRozan led the Raptors with 27 points, followed by Kyle Lowry with 22. Both players combined to shoot 45 percent, including 5-of-15 on 3-point attempts.
It wasn’t Toronto’s star power or home crowd that would be Miami’s downfall; it was their lackluster play coming out of halftime. Throughout the first 24 minutes, the Heat were able to control the pace well.
Despite giving up 28 and 29 points in the first and second periods, the Raptors held just a two point lead as both teams headed to their respective locker rooms. That’s when things went south, and not in the good way.
The Raptors would go on to outscore Miami 41-26, during the opening 12 minutes of the second half, finishing the third quarter on a 21-4 run. The Heat would go scoreless over a three minute, 21-second stretch that assisted in Toronto taking a 98-81 lead heading into the final period.
It was DeRozan who was the driving force behind that run, scoring 19 points in the quarter, countering Dragic’s second half brilliance.
Miami would attempt to pull within striking distance during the fourth, outscoring the home team by 14 points over the game’s final stretch. However, it turned out to be too little too late, as the Heat found themselves on the losing end when the final buzzer sounded.
Toronto led for much of the period before consecutive baskets by Dragic cut the lead to 112-109 with 56 seconds left, but the Raptors were able to close the game out by cashing in on their opportunities from the foul line.
With 25 games remaining in the regular season, Miami (30-27) sits four games ahead of the Detroit Pistons for sole possession of the East’s eighth and final playoff spot. Just weeks ago, the Heat were fourth in the conference and appeared to be surging.
Miami will conclude its pre All-Star break portion of the schedule with a matchup against the Philadelphia 76ers on on Wednesday, the second night of a back-to-back.
Wade off the bench for the second straight game
Spoelstra elected to bring Wade off the bench for the second time in as many games, going with Tyler Johnson at the starting two guard spot instead.
When speaking with reporters following the game, Spoelstra felt this would be the most beneficial strategy for the team at this point.
"“Not right now,” Spoelstra said. “I’m not thinking that. But I’m also open to anything, wherever this course of the season goes.”"
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Forward Kelly Olynyk (left shoulder) also missed his third straight game, leaving the window open for Justise Winslow to start in his place.