NBA Playoffs: Raptors vs. Heat Game 2 recap, full highlights
The Raptors and Heat went to overtime again, but Toronto prevailed in Game 2 to even the series
After losing Game 1 in an overtime thriller, the Toronto Raptors came out of the gate in Game 2 against the Miami Heat in their Eastern Conference semifinal series in the 2016 NBA Playoffs with something to prove. They looked to really capitalize upon playing in the Air Canada Centre on their home floor and looked to show the Heat that they weren’t going to roll over after making history by getting out of Round 1.
The Raptors absolutely scorched the Heat in the first quarter with lockdown defense and a potent offensive attack. Though Miami was able to fight back somewhat in the second quarter, there’s no question that the first half belonged to the home team in Toronto as they went back into the locker room ahead by seven points. However, there’s two halves to every game.
Perhaps someone should’ve told the Raptors that last part sooner because they didn’t come out halftime looking like they had to keep playing basketball. DeMar DeRozan especially, but all of the Raptors started missing free throws in a bad way and the team really struggled with ball security in a major, major way. Because of that, the Heat were able to use a big fourth quarter to take the lead.
Toronto wouldn’t be denied, though. They didn’t let the deficit get too large when it was all said and done and then used a big run in the final minutes to retake the lead. It was then that the dramatics started once again, but Kyle Lowry was again ready to answer the call for the Raptors. Even with Dwyane Wade hitting a three, Lowry hit two big buckets.
With 10 seconds left in the action, though, Goran Dragic played hero once again as, with the Heat down three, he stepped up and knocked down a huge triple to tie the game a 86-86 with only 10 seconds left. The Raptors obviously got another chance at the win, but it was to no avail as Game 2 also went to overtime.
Once in overtime, though, the Raptors weren’t looking for a replica of Game 1. They were the aggressors with the ball in their possession and were a brick wall when they were defending. In fact, the Heat didn’t register a single point until the final minute of play in the extra frame. By that point, though, Toronto already had the game in hand to even up the series at 1-1.
Three Stars
DeMarre Carroll, Raptors – 21 points, four steals, four rebounds, one assist
Hassan Whiteside, Heat – 13 points, 13 rebounds, thre steals, three blocks
Kyle Lowry, Raptors – 18 points, six assists, four rebounds, three steals
Highlights
Next Game
The Raptors and Heat will meet for Game 3 in Miami on Saturday afternoon on May 7 with a 5 p.m. ET start time.
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