Raptors Survive Heat

     The Miami Heat were edged by the defending NBA champion Toronto Raptors 107-103 on Monday in Lake Buena Vista at the HP Field House. It was the second game for the Heat since the NBA restarted the regular season following the coronavirus pandemic. The Raptors have won 23 of their last 27 games. 

     Toronto(48-18) took a 23-17 lead after one quarter and stayed ahead 48-44 by halftime. Miami(42-25) was down 70-55 with 5:56 left in the third quarter and cut it down to 84-79 at the end of the frame. The Heat began the first two minutes of the fourth quarter with ten straight points to move ahead, however the Raptors climbed back and made free throws down the stretch to get the victory. 

     Goran Dragic let the Heat with 25 points while Kelly Olynyk added 17 points. Jimmy Butler put together 16 points and seven rebounds. Bam Adebayo compiled ten points and eight rebounds which was short of a double-double. Fred VanVleet scored a game-high 36 points for Toronto and Pascal Siakam dropped in 22 points.