NBA: Raptors host Heat for a pair with both vying for optimal playoff positioning

Plenty will be at stake on Tuesday when the Toronto Raptors host the Miami Heat for the first of two straight meetings north of the border between the postseason-bound teams.

Entering Monday's action, Toronto (43-35) sits in the No. 7 spot of the crowded Eastern Conference standings, tied with the Philadelphia 76ers. The Raptors are just a half-game ahead of the Charlotte Hornets, a game ahead of the Orlando Magic and two games in front of the No. 10 Heat (41-37).

After a three-year stretch of mediocrity that saw the franchise miss the playoffs each time, head coach Darko Rajakovic's team has its most wins since the 2021-22 season and is in line to bring postseason basketball back to Canada.

As it stands now, Toronto would host Charlotte in the 7 vs. 8 play-in game, with the winner facing the No. 2 Boston Celtics in the first round. With four games remaining, though, the Raptors can find themselves as low as the 10th spot.

The Raptors enter this game as losers in three of their last four, including a 115-101 road loss to Boston on Sunday. A bright spot for Rajakovic's group has been second-year guard Ja'Kobe Walter. Inserted into the starting lineup the last six games, Walter is averaging 10.5 points across that stretch, drilling four 3-pointers in the setback against the Celtics.

Ahead of the Raptors' most pivotal stretch of the year, Walter has gained the trust from his head coach.

"I love it. Ja'Kobe is a two-way player that does a lot for us," Rajakovic said. "These opportunities that he's had to start are showing us a lot of what he's capable of and all the work he's been putting in. Knocking down those shots for a young player, it's awesome to see him doing so good in those situations."

Walter averages 7.3 points on a 40.2% 3-point shooting clip. Brandon Ingram's 21.3 ppg lead the Raptors, followed by RJ Barrett's 19.1 and Scottie Barnes' 18.1 points and 7.5 rebounds per contest.

Miami hopes it's beginning to regain its form after a woeful end to March. The Heat dropped seven of eight games, before winning two of their last three. Miami picked up a much-needed 152-136 win over the woeful Washington Wizards on Saturday.

"We had two really good days of practice coming off the last disappointing game (a 147-129 loss to Boston)," Head coach Erik Spoelstra said. "That's what you want out of a group, particularly with everything we've gone through these last 10 games. We're just focusing on solutions and working to get better."

Since Miami's tailspin began on March 14, defense has been at the forefront of its issues. The Heat have allowed 129.9 points per game across their last 11 outings.

Second-year center Kel'el Ware pulled his weight against Washington, posting seven blocks to go along with 24 points and 19 rebounds. After Ware's dominant performance, Spoelstra challenged Ware to continue his production against Toronto.

"He wants more for me; he wants better for me," Ware said of Spoelstra. "He just wants to see me perform at a higher level."

Ware averages 11.1 points and 9.1 boards per game. Norman Powell (22.1 ppg) has missed the last four games with an illness, while Tyler Herro (21.4 ppg) looks to return after missing Saturday due to personal reasons. Both are listed as probable.

Bam Adebayo has compiled 20.2 points and 10 rebounds per game.

-Field Level Media/Reuters