The games haven't been pretty, but they have been close. Three of the contests between the Heat and Raptors this series, including Miami's 94-87 victory Monday night, have gone to overtime. Now the series heads back to Toronto where the Raptors will look to bounce back from that tough loss.
Heat vs. Raptors 2016 streaming: Time, TV schedule and how to watch NBA playoffs online
The series moves back to Toronto for a pivotal Game 5.
Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
In order to do so, they'll need more from their All-Star backcourt of Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan. Lowry, after finally rediscovering his touch in Game 3, struggled from the field once again in Game 4 and misfired on nine of his 11 looks. DeRozan was just 4-for-17. Toronto will need more from both players going forward, especially with Jonas Valanciunas out for the remainder of the series with an ankle injury.
As for Miami, the Heat needed a big performance from Dwyane Wade (30 points on 13-for-24 from the field) in order to squeeze out that Game 4 win. Erik Spoelstra's crew is also battling without its starting center. Hassan Whiteside left Game 3 with a sprained knee, sat out Game 4 and will also miss Game 5.
With him out of the lineup the Heat have no one to patrol the paint, deter Lowry or DeRozan or keep Bismack Biyombo off the glass. The question is: Will the Raptors have more success attacking the rim and will head coach Dwane Casey feel comfortable leaving a big lineup on the floor to take advantage of Miami's lack of size?
How to watch Raptors vs. Heat Game 5
Place: Air Canada Centre
Time: 8 p.m. ET
TV: TNT
Streaming: Watch TNT
* * *
See More:
