Jimmy Butler, Heat add to Raptors' road struggles

Jimmy Butler scored a game-high 26 points as the host Miami Heat defeated the Toronto Raptors 121-111 in an NBA Cup game on Friday night.

The Heat (2-2) and Raptors (0-3) are out of contention for the NBA Cup.

In the overall standings, Miami (9-8) tied its season high at one game over .500. Toronto fell to an NBA-worst 1-11 on the road.

Butler missed the fourth quarter of Miami's previous game due to a back injury but hit 8-of-14 field-goal attempts, including 2-of-4 from 3-point range.

For Miami, Bam Adebayo finished with a triple-double (14 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists) and Tyler Herro contributed 23 points.

South Florida native Scottie Barnes posted a triple-double for Toronto with 24 points, 10 rebounds and 10 rebounds.

Also for the Raptors, RJ Barrett had 25 points, seven assists and six rebounds, and Jakob Poeltl delivered 24 points and 10 rebounds.

The first quarter was tough for both teams as Toronto led 21-20 despite turning the ball over eight times. Miami had just one turnover but shot 2-of-17 from beyond the 3-point arc.

Both teams heated up in the second quarter as Toronto shot 75 percent from the floor and committed just three turnovers, and Miami shot 58.3 percent, including 5-of-10 on 3-pointers.

At the break, Toronto led 61-58 as the first half featured six lead changes and six ties. Barnes led the Raptors with 15 first-half points, while Butler scored 13 for Miami.

In the third quarter, Miami surged ahead 77-67, but Toronto responded with a 12-0 run for a 79-77 advantage. Miami had its own answer, scoring 11 straight for an 88-79 lead.

Miami entered the fourth with a 96-84 lead and held on from there.

For the game, the Heat made 21-of-54 attempts on 3-pointers (38.9 percent) and outscored Toronto 63-33 on made 3-point baskets.

--Field Level Media