The Toronto Raptors began their Pascal Siakam-less era on Wednesday with a surprising 121-97 win over the Miami Heat at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario. The 24-point win was their second-highest win of the season. The Raptors defeated the Detroit Pistons by 29 points, 142-113, on November 19.
In the Raptors’ win over the Heat, four Raptors scored in double figures. Gary Trent Jr. led the way with 28 points. RJ Barrett of Toronto, Ontario had 26 points, Scottie Barnes had 20 points and Immanuel Quickley had 17 points. Barrett, Quickley and Thaddeus Young led the Raptors with eight rebounds each. Quickley led the Raptors with nine assists. Barnes and Gradey Dick led the Raptors with two steals each, and Jontay Porter led the Raptors with two blocked shots.
It was just a wonderful first half for the Raptors as they outscored Miami 78-43. Considering the Raptors were ten games under .500 and the Heat were eight games over .500 going into the game, it was very surprising that the Raptors had a 35-point lead. Toronto actually had a 37-point lead 20 seconds into the second half when Quickley made a five-foot jump shot.
With the win, the Raptors improved to a record of 16 wins and 25 losses. They are a game and a half behind the Atlanta Hawks for a spot in the NBA Play-In Tournament.
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