After both teams see-sawed with the lead for the entire first half, the Raptors went on a big run in the third quarter. The score at intermission was 43-47 Toronto, but the Raptors built a 17-point lead by the 2:02 mark of the third stanza of play. Andrea Bargnani and Anthony Parker each made two three-pointers in the third quarter. Part of the Heat's problem was its rotation defense, but Coach Erik Spoelstra must share some of the blame. He put the 6-foot-5 Daequan Cook on the 7-foot Bargnani in Toronto and that did not work to well. Why would it work in a change of venue? Spoelstra should know better.
That is not to say the Heat showed a lack of effort. Miami showed great effort last night. Less than four minutes into the final period of play, the Heat took an 84-83 lead on a driving dunk by Wade. But that lead would be short-lived, as Parker hit a three-point shot to give Toronto a two-point lead. Miami then missed its next five shots, and the Toronto lead snowballed to four points with just under six minutes to play. There was still plenty of time, but the Heat had several chances to create and expand lead and came up short time after time.
Wade's layup with two minutes and 45 seconds left in the game made it 91-92. After a dunk by Jermaine O'Neal and a layup by Jose Calderon, Wade's turnaround jumper made it a 96-93 game with just 62 seconds to go. But Parker's three-pointer on Toronto's ensuing possession iced the game for the Raptors.
Watching the game, it felt like the Heat could have won this game. But they could have won this game with some comfort. Shawn Marion, who had 20 points on 10-of-17 shooting, and Wade scored 63% of Miami's points. Only that duo and Cook scored in double figures for Miami. Udonis Haslem missed those 15-foot shots he has been consistent on. Mario Chalmers sank back into his shooting slump and Chris Quinn took too few shots to compensate for Chalmers' off night. Michael Beasley was held to just 12 minutes of action after committing two fouls in the first 72 seconds of play. Beasley wasn't even put in during the critical fourth quarter. And Joel Anthony was not able to affect Miami's defense, committing four fouls in just 15 minutes of action.
To its credit, Miami did narrow the rebounding edge from Sunday's loss. The Raptors won the battle of the boards by just two rebounds. Marion and Haslem both grabbed double-figure rebounds. The Raptors just made the big shots when they counted and the Heat had a two-man show for its offense.
The Heat will host its next two games at home, first against Indiana Saturday and then against Houston Monday. Miami will then go on a five-game road trip. Spoelstra should be telling his young team that it cannot continue to trade wins and losses. The Heat has to get some consistency if it wants to be a resurgent team in the East.
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