Skip to main content
Come Fan with UsTuesday, June 23, 2026

Heat vs. Raptors 2016 final score: Toronto puts Miami on the brink with 99-91 Game 5 win

Toronto will have a chance to close out in Game 6.

Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports

The Toronto Raptors are just one win away from the Eastern Conference Finals after beating the Miami Heat, 99-91, in Game 5 on Wednesday night. Toronto now leads the seven-game series, 3-2, and will have a chance to put away Miami on the road in Game 6 on Friday night.

Closing out games hasn't always been easy for Toronto this postseason, but point guard Kyle Lowry stepped up late in Game 5 with some huge plays to get the win. While his shot has eluded him at times, Lowry showed little hesitation in going ISO against Josh Richardson to hit a huge three-pointer at the top of the key that extended Toronto's late lead:

Lowry finished the game with 25 points, 10 rebounds and six assists, a remarkable turnaround after the star guard had just 10 points on 2-of-11 shooting in Game 4. This was the Lowry that helped carry Toronto to a franchise-record 56 wins in the regular season, even if the team hasn't necessarily gotten him in every contest.

DeMar DeRozan and Bismack Biyombo were also stellar for Toronto. DeRozan scored a game-high 34 points on 11-of-22 shooting. Biyombo anchored the defense and had a big stretch in the second quarter where he pretty much put Toronto on his back.

Unfortunately, there were also some injuries to put a damper on the action. DeMarre Carroll and Luol Deng both left with injuries in the second half. It'll be interesting to see whether either player is ready to suit up for Game 6. Either way, the winner of this series is going to have trouble against Cleveland in the next round.

Here are three things we learned:

Bismack Biyombo is now the series' best big man

Remember when this series had Hassan Whiteside and Jonas Valanciunas? Unless Miami gets back the former at some point soon, injuries have made Biyombo the best big man on either team. It seems hard to believe that a backup who averaged 5.5 points per game in the regular season would be starring in the conference semifinals, but Valanciunas' injury opened up minutes for Biyombo and Whiteside's injury has given him a favorable matchup.

In Game 4, Biyombo had one of his best games of the year by recording 13 points, 13 rebounds and two blocks in 31 minutes. He was similarly productive Wednesday night, putting up 10 points, six rebounds and four blocks in 38 minutes. He was especially dominant in the second quarter, and even gave Dwyane Wade the Mutombo finger wag after a big rejection:

Biyombo's rim protection is a big part of why Miami shot so poorly from the field. In the absence of the series' best two big men, Toronto's backup has emerged as a difference-maker.

Miami can’t find its Game 1 shooting touch

The Heat took early control of this series by winning Game 1 in Toronto. A big part of how they did it was by shooting 8-of-11 from three-point range, something they haven't been able to sustain over the remainder of the series. In Game 5, Miami hit just six of its 21 three-point attempts, with half of the makes coming from Richardson in the second half. Since that 72 percent outing from beyond the arc in the series opener, the Heat have shot 24 percent on threes over the last four games.

Both teams are testing their depth

First, the series lost Valanciunas and Whiteside. Luol Deng and DeMarre Carroll joined them on the sideline after suffering wrist injuries in Game 5. Carroll's tests came back negative and Deng's were "inconclusive," but either way, we're in a series where Miami is struggling to match up against Biyombo. Injuries have radically changed the complexion of this series, and how long each of these players is ultimately out could go a long way toward deciding who reaches the conference finals. Guys like Terrence Ross, Justise Winslow and Richardson may need to step up big time.

See More:

More in NBA

NBA
The Spurs’ De’Aaron Fox problem only has 1 good solution, and it’s not trading himThe Spurs’ De’Aaron Fox problem only has 1 good solution, and it’s not trading him
NBA

Here’s what the Spurs should do with De’Aaron Fox.

By Mat Issa
NBA
NBA Draft’s 60 best players in 2026 class, rankedNBA Draft’s 60 best players in 2026 class, ranked
NBA

Let’s rank the 60 best players in the 2026 NBA Draft.

By Ricky O'Donnell
Men's College Basketball
Dallas Mavericks instant grade for Dusty May’s stunning hire as team’s next head coachDallas Mavericks instant grade for Dusty May’s stunning hire as team’s next head coach
Men's College Basketball

Let’s grade the Mavs’ decision to hire Dusty May away from Michigan.

By Ricky O'Donnell
NBA
Giannis trade rumors: 2 teams still in mix after Celtics include Jaylen Brown in offerGiannis trade rumors: 2 teams still in mix after Celtics include Jaylen Brown in offer
NBA

A Giannis trade is reportedly coming before the draft, and there’s two teams left.

By Ricky O'Donnell
NBA
We didn’t get to the Knicks parade, but this father already got a better celebrationWe didn’t get to the Knicks parade, but this father already got a better celebration
NBA

On the Knicks parade, fatherhood, sports fandom, and the war on attention spans

By Abe Beame
NBA
NBA mock draft 2026: Big changes to lottery on the brink of first-roundNBA mock draft 2026: Big changes to lottery on the brink of first-round
NBA

Here’s an updated NBA mock draft ahead of Tuesday’s first round.

By Ricky O'Donnell