Game Thread: Toronto Raptors vs. Miami Heat preseason

He’s not listed in the official injury report, and coach Nick Nurse confirmed it before the game, but we now have to see when and how the Raptors’ Kyle Lowry will play tonight against the Miami Heat. Toronto is back at home for the game — though home in this case is Tampa, Florida — so it stands to reason Lowry will be back in the starting lineup too. He didn’t travel with the team to Charlotte for their two previous preseason games, but he did finally address the media — and had some fun while doing it. If nothing else, Lowry has proven his trash-talk game is already in mid-season form.

Accordingly, we’ve added Lowry to the Raptors’ starting lineup below, which now shows what will likely be their go-to starting lineup for 2020-21. On the other side, it makes sense for the Heat to strategically rest some of their players — Jimmy Butler chief among them — after their NBA Finals run in October. For tonight, some other Heat names (Kendrick Nunn, Avery Bradley) will be out, but that’s all we know for now. Likewise, the Raptors are still trying to figure out their new rotation (and even the seating chart for their 17-man roster). It’s not a major drama — nothing in the preseason is — but it’s worth keeping an eye on.

It’s in that spirit we approach tonight’s Raptors vs. Hest preseason contest. There’s not much to it in the larger picture of things, but it’s meaningful to some — Toronto and Miami’s bench players, the young rookies trying to prove themselves, the fringe players on both squads looking for one last chance to secure a roster spot somewhere. And, sure, maybe Lowry will have some fun too.

For now, here’s our preview from this morning from Muad Issa. Below are the updated game details. And now, let’s watch.

Where to Watch:

TSN at 7:00pm EST

Lineups:

Toronto – Fred VanVleet, Kyle Lowry, OG Anunoby, Pascal Siakam, Aron Baynes

Miami – Tyler Herro, Goran Dragic, Duncan Robinson, Maurice Harkless, Bam Adebayo

Injuries:

Toronto – Patrick McCaw (day-to-day - knee)

Miami – Jimmy Butler (day-to-day), Kendrick Nunn (day-to-day), Avery Bradley (day-to-day)