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Miami Heat vs Toronto Raptors
Let's take a look at what needs to happen Sunday the final day of the regular season in order for the Miami Heat to obtain the 6th seed and even the possibility of earning the 5th seed. The first thing that needs to happen is the Heat need to defeat the Toronto Raptors who enter the Kaseya Center for the final two games. Miami needs to earn victories in both games plus Orlando needs to lose both of their games with help or a Sixers loss or Pacers loss. If all three lose then the Heat would obtain the 5th seed and avoid the play-in tournament.
The young gun Nikola Jovic would lead the way for Miami the first time this season with 22 points followed by the rookie Jaime Jaquez Jr with 20 points and 9 assists. Another so so night for Bam Adebayo who finished the night with 19 points. Tyler Herro would score 18 points with both Jimmy Butler and Kevin Love capping off the game with 14 points. It's a great thing when Jimmy can relax and doesn't have to do much when his team is stepping up.
Former New York Knick turned Toronto Raptor RJ Barrett would lead his team in scoring posting 35 points and a season-high 11 rebounds. Immanuel Quickley would follow Barrett putting up 15 points on the night followed by the University of Miami grad Bruce Brown with 14 points. Former Miami Heat player Kelly Olynyk made his return to the Kaseya Center where he would grab 11 rebounds helping his team on the glass.
Miami really hasn't had a game this season where you can look back and say that was an easy win the way it needed to be until tonight. They were connecting well from beyond the arch where the Heat drained 17 three-pointers. Miami never trailed in the game finishing the first quarter with a lead of 11 and would head into the dressing room with a lead as big as 19. The largest lead of the night for Miami was 25 with no comeback in sight for Toronto.
The Heat would pick up the victory 125-103 with Orlando dropping its game against Philadelphia which keeps the chances alive for Miami. Toronto with this loss have marked their worst season since going 22-60 in the 2010 season right after they lost Chris Bosh. The Pacers would also fall in a game against the Cleveland Cavaliers which is also a massive result for Miami. All eyes are now on Sunday for the season finale with dramatic seeding implications on the line.
Next up for the Miami Heat is a home game against the Toronto Raptors to close off the season.
Written by: Daniel Torres
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