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Raptors fly down to MIAMI FLO RIDA to take on the steaming hot Miami Heat in the last game of their 5 game road trip.
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Stats for the game
Raptors are 5-3 since the All-Star break.
Raptors are top 10 in defense since
4th in Opponent FG% and 12th in 3p%
2nd best in Opponent points allowed in the paint
Miami has only lost 4 games since January 17.
2nd in the league in Net rating in that time frame
3rd best defense
5th in 3 point makes per game, #1 in 3 point efficiency
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KEY MATCHUPS
Goran Dragic vs Cory Joseph
Dragic has returned to All-NBA form averaging 22 points and 6 assists with a 52.2 FG% and an obscene 45.3% from deep during the Heat's run. He has perfected the inside-out game during the Heat's stretch of great basketball. Since the ASB, CoJo has averaged 12 points, 5 assists, a little over a turnover and has played good defense in most games. Can the cool kid from Pickering channel his inner Gary Payton again and shut down the Slovenian dragon?
Dion Waiters vs DeMar DeRozan
As the two most frequent shooters on their respective teams, this will end up as a battle of buckets that should be one for the ages. Dion "what the hell are you doing" Waiters has turned his career around under the tutelage of Erick Spoelstra. In their 20-4 stretch, he has shot a ridiculous 44.9% from three with 19 points a game; the Heat have only lost 1 game during this frame when he scores 20 or more. DeRozan will get his points no problem. The question is whether he can keep Dion relatively in check.
Hassan Whiteside vs Jonas Valanciunas
I wouldn't be surprised if Hassan doesn't want to play today. He must still have PTSD from getting dominated in the playoffs on national television by the Lithuanian giant. Tonight, Jonas needs to keep him off the glass and try his best to prevent lobs from getting to him in the paint. On the other end, he'll need to be assertive and attempt to get Whiteside into foul trouble.
Guys To Look Out For
James Johnson
He's having a career year. He might do some stuff this game
Wayne Ellington
The sharpshooter from UNC is another guy having himself a career year. He's made a three in every game since February and is averaging close to 3 threes made per game since mid-January. If he gets any sort of room, he'll make it rain. (If only the Raps had a player like this eh?). PLAY TIGHT. DO NOT LEAVE HIM OPEN FFS.
Lets Go RAPTORS
VS.
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Stats for the game
Raptors are 5-3 since the All-Star break.
Raptors are top 10 in defense since
4th in Opponent FG% and 12th in 3p%
2nd best in Opponent points allowed in the paint
Miami has only lost 4 games since January 17.
2nd in the league in Net rating in that time frame
3rd best defense
5th in 3 point makes per game, #1 in 3 point efficiency
--
KEY MATCHUPS
Goran Dragic vs Cory Joseph
Dragic has returned to All-NBA form averaging 22 points and 6 assists with a 52.2 FG% and an obscene 45.3% from deep during the Heat's run. He has perfected the inside-out game during the Heat's stretch of great basketball. Since the ASB, CoJo has averaged 12 points, 5 assists, a little over a turnover and has played good defense in most games. Can the cool kid from Pickering channel his inner Gary Payton again and shut down the Slovenian dragon?
Dion Waiters vs DeMar DeRozan
As the two most frequent shooters on their respective teams, this will end up as a battle of buckets that should be one for the ages. Dion "what the hell are you doing" Waiters has turned his career around under the tutelage of Erick Spoelstra. In their 20-4 stretch, he has shot a ridiculous 44.9% from three with 19 points a game; the Heat have only lost 1 game during this frame when he scores 20 or more. DeRozan will get his points no problem. The question is whether he can keep Dion relatively in check.
Hassan Whiteside vs Jonas Valanciunas
I wouldn't be surprised if Hassan doesn't want to play today. He must still have PTSD from getting dominated in the playoffs on national television by the Lithuanian giant. Tonight, Jonas needs to keep him off the glass and try his best to prevent lobs from getting to him in the paint. On the other end, he'll need to be assertive and attempt to get Whiteside into foul trouble.
Guys To Look Out For
James Johnson
He's having a career year. He might do some stuff this game
Wayne Ellington
The sharpshooter from UNC is another guy having himself a career year. He's made a three in every game since February and is averaging close to 3 threes made per game since mid-January. If he gets any sort of room, he'll make it rain. (If only the Raps had a player like this eh?). PLAY TIGHT. DO NOT LEAVE HIM OPEN FFS.
Lets Go RAPTORS