2. Toronto Raptors
The Raptors are currently the East’s fourth-best and would have to beat out Chicago for the conference’s third playoff spot.
Both the Raptors and Heat have split the season series with one more game (April 11 in Miami) to be played. Miami defeated Toronto early on in the season in just their third game, 107-102, despite DeMar DeRozan’s 30 points. More recently speaking, the Raptors handed Miami a 102-92 loss on March 13, withstanding Dwyane Wade’s 25 points scored. The win ended a 16-game skid versus the Heat.
The loss dropped Miami out of the playoff picture as they struggle to take care of the ball. The Heat committed 21 turnovers, two shy of their season-high. Erik Spoelstra was not pleased with his team’s performance following the defeat:
“At least 10 of them were unforced. We weren’t really able to keep that collective mental toughness through those mistakes offensively. That led to some defensive breakdowns and it went from there.”
While the Heat have dominated their matchups with the Raptors in recent years, both teams are completely different squads in 2015.
Toronto struggles on the glass (25th in the NBA) and on defense (21st), but they possess a lethal offensive attack (fourth in scoring) led by the playmaking ability of Kyle Lowry and the scoring abilities of DeRozan.
Next: Atlanta Hawks
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