The Toronto Raptors were without their best defensive player for Sunday's game against the Miami Heat, as DeMarre Carroll missed the 96-76 loss with a sore right heel.
It was the first game in which the Raptors didn't have all their starters - and a key player in Carroll - available. The $60-million man has led a rejuvenation of Toronto's defense despite some less-than-stellar shooting numbers.
Carroll's second on the Raptors in minutes played so far, something he conceded may need to be scaled back this early in the season, as he's suffering from plantar fasciitis.
"I feel like me going out there and doing what I can to help this team and if that's me at 70 percent then I'll give them 70 percent," he told reporters Saturday.
"It might already be to the point where I have to start listening to my body."
