The Raptors went into Miami hoping for a 3-0 start to the season, but allowed the Heat to shoot near 60% from the field for most of the game (they finished 35-for-70, 50%) and played three lackluster quarters before putting in a much better effort in the fourth. By then, they were trailing by 10 points, and while they cut the lead to single digits and came close to making it a one possession game at various points, they weren't able to make up for their lack of effort in the first 36 minutes, falling 107-102.
The defense was so frustrating, it had me like:
McHulk RT @bruce_arthur: Chill out, Josh McRoberts https://t.co/VtlKrh3Ccx
— alex (@steven_lebron) November 3, 2014
After the game, Dwane Casey was not very happy either:
Dwane Casey not happy with Raptors' defense to start season: "It caught up with us."
— Ethan J. Skolnick (@EthanJSkolnick) November 3, 2014
Amir Johnson did not play in this game because of a sore left ankle, and his presence was missed. Regardless, the Raptors have no excuse for the effort they put in on the defensive end. DeMar DeRozan led all scorers with 30 points, on 11-for-22 from the field, and 7-for-12 from the line. Also in double digits: Kyle Lowry with 22 points, Jonas Valanciunas with 14, and Grevisi Vasquez with 12 points.
The Heat got a very balanced effort from their starting lineup. Chris Bosh led them with 21 points, Deng chipped in with 18, Shawne Williams had 16 points and several huge three-pointers to keep the Raptors at bay in the second half. Dwyane Wade -- playing on the second half of a back-to-back no less -- had a very efficient 31 minutes: 19 points, 11 rebounds, seven assists and two blocks.
The Raptors lost their 16th straight to the Heat, and have not beaten them since Bosh left Toronto for Miami. They now head home for 10 of their next 14, and will get back at it against a short-handed Oklahoma City team at the ACC on Tuesday.
What did everyone think?