Skip to content

Lowry helps Raptors snap 16-game losing streak against Heat

Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports / reuters

Coming into Friday's game, the Toronto Raptors had lost their last 16 contests against the Miami Heat.

Enter: Kyle Lowry.

Lowry played one of his most well-balanced games of the season, making an impact on both ends of the floor. He finished as a game-high +19, while scoring 19 points along with eight rebounds, eight assists and a whooping seven steals in leading the Raptors to a 102-92 win.

Coming into the game, the Raptors were losers of four straight and nine of their last 10 games. However, after coming home from a three-game absence, the Raptors looked strong from the get-go, establishing a nine-point edge at halftime.

Toronto went on to push the lead to as high as 21 points in the second half. The bench combination of Lou Williams and Greivis Vasquez caught fire, hitting a number of tough jumpshots to help balloon the Raptors' lead. They went on to finish with 14 and 12 points apiece.

The Heat's backcourt of Dwyane Wade and Goran Dragic played well. They finished with a combined 43 points, six rebounds and nine assists, but failed to exploit their significant advantage on the inside with Hassan Whiteside as the Raptors were without starting center Jonas Valanciunas, who was away due to the birth of his child.

To be fair, the Raptors' frontcourt fought admirably against Whiteside. Amir Johnson struggled early, but he played solid help defense to limit Whiteside's effectiveness on the inside. Tyler Hansbrough drew the primary defensive assignment and also played a huge hand in slowing the breakout star. 

The Raptors' win, coupled with Chicago's loss puts them into a tie for third place in the East. 

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox