Miami is 14-17, a half-game out of 8th place. They have had a disappointing injury-plagued season, but recently they have won 3 in a row and 7 of the last 10.
Tampa is 16-15, 4 games behind the 76ers, who they play tonight. Tampa has won 4 in a row and also 7 of the last 10. They will play the second leg of a back-to-back in Miami.
This season the Raptors and Heat have split their two games in Tampa. This game, therefore, is decisive for two teams who will likely compete for playoff positions.
Miami is 15th in Field Goal Pct: 46.3%, 24th in 3 Pt Pct: (35.1%), 26th in points scored, 11th in free throw percentage, & 28th in rebounds. The offense continues anemic, with only 106.8 ppg (27th) and is worst in turnovers, 16.4. Miami is last in offensive rebounds.
Tampa is 22nd in Field Goal Pct: 45.1%, 8th in 3 pt pct: 38.3%, 13th in points scored (113), but 30th in rebounds. They are one of the highest in free throw percentage (82.7%), but are only 16th in free throw attempts (21.8).
Opponents are shooting 3’s at 36.8% against Tampa (18th), Opponents are scoring 110.3 pts against the Raptors (8th), Opponents commit 16.6 turnovers per game (we helped this stat in Tampa) which is highest in the league. Opponents get fewer shots against the Raptors, #1 in attempts with 84.5.
Avery Bradley is injured (right calf sprain)
Goran Dragić may be out (left ankle sprain)
Tyler Herro has a right hip contusion
Meyers Leonard is out for the season with a left shouler injury
Chris Silva is out with a left hip flexor strain.
Kyle Lowry was questionable with a sprained left thumb in his last game.
The Raptors core is Pascal Siakam, OG Anunoby, Fred Van Vleet, Norman Powell, and Chris Boucher, all scoring in double-digits and playing more than 20 mpg.
NBA Champion Kyle Lowry is their veteran leader with a 6.0 AST to 1.7 TOV ratio. Lowry scores in double digits too.
3 point shooting is excellent. Norman Powell is elite from beyond the arc this season.
The Raptors bench is solid too.
This is going to be a tough game.
