NBA: Raptors, Heat hope to end losing ways in Eastern tilt

The Miami Heat and Toronto Raptors are both searching for answers after recent struggles, and Tuesday night’s matchup in Miami offers each team a chance to get back on track.

Miami has dropped two straight games and seven of its last eight overall. Toronto enters the contest in a similar slump, having lost two in a row and six of its past eight. With both teams eager to reverse their fortunes, the meeting carries added urgency.

The Heat are coming off a 132-125 road loss to the New York Knicks on Sunday. Miami ranks fifth in the NBA in scoring at 120.2 points per game, but defensive issues have plagued the team, as it sits in the bottom 10 in points allowed at 117.8.

Against New York, Miami surrendered 47 points to Jalen Brunson and allowed the Knicks to shoot 55.3% from the field and 52.6% from three-point range (20-of-38). The performance frustrated Heat coach Erik Spoelstra, who stressed the need for greater intensity and toughness.

“We’re going to get there,” Spoelstra said. “But we have to have a collective will to win. Our guys care, but it’s not enough. There has to be another level. This league is savage. It’s survival of the toughest.”

Toronto coach Darko Rajakovic echoed similar sentiments after his team shot just 37.2% from the floor and 27.8% from beyond the arc in a 96-81 loss to the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday.

“We need to be shooting the ball better, at better percentages,” Rajakovic said. “That’s what we’re working toward.”

Injuries have been a major concern for the Raptors. RJ Barrett, second on the team in scoring at 19.4 points per game, remains sidelined with a knee injury and has missed 13 of Toronto’s 30 games. Starting center Jakob Poeltl was also limited to fewer than seven minutes Sunday due to a back issue.

Toronto has leaned heavily on Brandon Ingram, Scottie Barnes and Immanuel Quickley. Ingram leads the team with 22.0 points per game while also averaging 5.8 rebounds and 3.9 assists. Quickley contributes 15.8 points and a team-high 6.4 assists.

Barnes was held to six points against Brooklyn, but the 6-foot-8 forward remains one of the Raptors’ most versatile players. He leads the team in rebounds (8.0), blocks (1.7) and steals (1.4), while ranking third in scoring (19.1) and assists (5.1).

Toronto, which has not reached the playoffs since 2022, is also hoping for increased production from its recent first-round picks. Gradey Dick (2023) is averaging 6.2 points while shooting 32.2% from three-point range. Ja’Kobe Walter (2024) is posting 5.4 points per game while hitting 39% from deep, and Collin Murray-Boyles (2025) is averaging 6.8 points and shooting 44.8% from the field.

Miami has dealt with its own injury concerns. The Heat were without Tyler Herro (toe), Nikola Jovic (elbow) and Pelle Larsson (ankle) in Sunday’s loss. Herro’s absence is significant, as the former All-Star is averaging 23.2 points and is on pace for his fifth straight season of more than 20 points per game.

Norman Powell currently leads Miami in scoring at 24.0 points per game and is shooting 41.5% from three-point range. Bam Adebayo is contributing 18.3 points and 9.4 rebounds.

Depth has been a strength for the Heat. Emerging big man Kel’el Ware is averaging 12.5 points and leads the team in three-point percentage (48%), rebounds (10.7) and blocks (1.4). Starting point guard Davion Mitchell tops the team in assists at 7.7 per game, while backup Dru Smith leads in steals at 1.5. Jaime Jaquez Jr. has also impressed off the bench, averaging 15.7 points and ranking among the league’s top reserves.

With both teams desperate for a win, Tuesday night’s clash could prove pivotal as Miami and Toronto look to halt their downward trends. -Field Level Media/Reuters