Heat rout Raptors, will face 76ers in play-in round

Field Level Media|published: Sun 14th April, 15:48 2024

Apr 14, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (22) gets surrounded by the Toronto Raptors defense during the first half at Kaseya Center. credits: Jim Rassol-USA TODAY Sports

Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro scored 17 points each as the host Miami Heat routed the out-of-contention Toronto Raptors 118-103 on Sunday afternoon.

With the game virtually decided after three quarters, the Heat went to their bench, and Jaime Jaquez Jr. finished with 18 points. Reserve Thomas Bryant also had 18 points, and added 10 rebounds.

Despite the win, the Heat (46-36) will have to settle for the play-in round as the No. 8 seed in the Eastern Conference. With help from other results on Sunday, the Heat could've finished in the top six and qualified them for the playoffs. But that help did not arrive.

The Heat can still reach the playoffs but only through the play-in round. They will face the No. 7 Philadelphia 76ers in the play-in round on Wednesday.

Toronto (25-57) was led by Gary Trent Jr., who had 18 points.

Toronto was missing several injured standouts, including starters Scottie Barnes (hand), RJ Barrett (knee) and Immanuel Quickley (adductor).

Miami was without two key injured players: Duncan Robinson (back) and Terry Rozier (neck).

Neither team shot the ball exceptionally well in a first quarter that ended with a 24-24 tie. Toronto shot just 42.1 percent, including 0-for-8 on 3-pointers. Miami shot 35 percent, including 2-for-8 from deep.

Miami, though, dominated the second quarter, taking a 67-46 lead into halftime. Toronto shot just 1 of 13 on first-half 3-pointers.

The Heat was red-hot in the second quarter, shooting 75 percent overall, including 5 of 9 on 3-pointers. The Heat outscored Toronto 24-14 in the paint in the second period.

Miami extended its lead to 94-71 after three quarters. Toronto finally heated up from deep in the third quarter — the Raptors made 4-of-9 — but to no avail. Miami shot 57.9 percent from the floor overall in the third quarter.

For the game, Miami shot 52.9 percent from the floor, including 9-for-36 on 3-pointers (25 percent). The Heat outscored the Raptors in the paint, 68-54.

Toronto shot 42.2 percent overall. After a slow start, the Raptors finished 9-for-34 from deep (26.5 percent).

—Field Level Media