Raptors Use Strong Third Quarter To Defeat The Heat 108-94

A strong showing from Luis Scola in the first quarter and a 31-point third quarter propelled the Raptors to a road win in Miami on Friday night. Scola, who finished with 20 points in 27 minutes, scored 12 of the team's 14 points, but the Raptors still trailed by five at the half.

In the third, the Raptors took over after trailing by 11, using a 26-8 run to take the lead that they would not relinquish. Terrence Ross continued his strong play with 17 points including five threes in 25 minutes. A night after DeMar DeRozan hit a buzzer beater that didn't count, he scored 30 points and got to the three throw line 13 times. Bismack Biyombo once again provided the Raptors with exactly what they needed, grabbing 15 rebounds in 34 minutes and finished a +17. The Raptors shot 72 percent in the third quarter and ended up winning comfortably 108-94.

At 17-11, the Raptors are now 9-7 on the road, and needed this win to avoid going winless on their three game road trip. As long as there are no prolonged losing streaks, the Raptors have to be content with keeping pace with the rest of the East who are bunched with them in the middle of the standings, at least until Jonas Valanciunas and DeMarre Carroll return.

Now, it's back home to play Sacramento and Dallas. The Raptors could have won all three on this road trip, but a victory tonight helped them avoid what would have felt like a very discouraging week.