Heat Head Home After Game 2 Disappointment
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MIAMI (CBSMiami/AP) — Game 2 became a big missed opportunity for Miami but going home should help ease the disappointment.
Either Toronto or Miami will move within two wins of a trip to the Eastern Conference Finals on Saturday, when the Heat host Game 3 of their knotted-up series.
The Heat had a fourth-quarter lead in Toronto on Thursday in Game 2, only to see it — and a chance for what would have been a 2-0 lead in the series as it heads back to Miami — disappear in an overtime loss.
"That's the playoffs," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. "Things can happen in one game and you'll look totally different another game. Nothing's guaranteed. Momentum doesn't carry over. We've already proven that we can have a great offensive outing and then the next night it might be different. That's the playoffs. That's what happens in competition."
Struggles have come on both sides, however.
"I've gotten so many phone calls and texts from people that just care about me in general, fellow NBA players and friends of mine," said Toronto PG Kyle Lowry, who's the first player in the last 60 years to have nine consecutive games of shooting under 40 percent with 10 or more shot attempts in each contest, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. "They're supportive."
A look at Saturday's matchup:
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Raptors at Heat, series tied 1-1. 5 p.m., ESPN.
The Heat have held Charlotte and Toronto under 100 points in seven consecutive games now, which would seem to be a strong sign given that Miami has topped 100 points in 18 of its last 19 home games.
Then again, neither the Heat nor the Raptors put on anything that would resemble an offensive showcase in Games 1 or 2.
"If we don't turn the ball over 20-some times, we'll be fine," Heat guard Dwyane Wade said. "Offense is fine. We can't keep giving up 20 turnovers a game. That limits us a lot."
At some point, fatigue will likely start being a factor — if it isn't one already. Saturday's game will be the fifth in nine days for the Raptors, the eighth in 15 days for the Heat. Lowry has played 89 minutes in the first two games of this series, DeRozan has played 84. For the Heat, Joe Johnson has played 83 and Luol Deng has logged 81.
The bigger issue for Miami is Toronto's biggest player.
Jonas Valanciunas is a 7-foot, 255-pound problem for the Heat. He's shot 68 percent in the two games, averaging 19.5 points and 13 rebounds — at times getting the best of Miami center Hassan Whiteside.
"He's been big," DeRozan said. "You can honestly see who's the dominant big out there when it comes to rebounding and scoring. JV's doing a lot for us. We need him to continue to keep doing it."
