Jacari McRae | December 4th, 2019
The list of unbeaten home teams just got shorter. Thanks to the Miami Heat. Despite losing their best bench scorer in Goran Dragic, the team still pulled out a victory against the Toronto Raptors. It was the team’s best road victory against an elite team since their October 26th victory over the Milwaukee Bucks. The Heat now improve season record to 15-5 for the season. Here are my takeaways from Tuesday’s 121-110 road victory against the Raptors.
Jimmy’s Triple-Double
Jimmy Butler recorded the fifth triple of his career against the Raptors on Tuesday, becoming the 10th player in franchise history to do so. He closed with 22 points, 12 assists, and 13 rebounds. He was the first Heat player to record a triple-double since Dwyane Wade, who recorded a triple-double in his last game against the Brooklyn Nets last season.
Already got a triple-double now taking over overtime.@JimmyButler you’re a real 1. pic.twitter.com/o5eDJFP1mG
— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) December 4, 2019
Butler also came through in clutch time. Even though he missed a potential game-winner in regulation, Butler went on an 8-0 run to start overtime. And the Heat never looked back after that.
Bam’s Adjustment
Last game, the Brooklyn Nets sagged off Bam Adebayo to cut off his passing. On Tuesday, the Raptors did the same early on. But this time, Bam made them pay. Whenever the Raptors tried to sag off him, Bam would either make the short jumper or attack the basket. Adebayo had 12 first-half points, to help push the Heat to a 58-53 halftime lead.
Adebayo finished with 18 points on 7-of-13 shooting from the field to go along with seven rebounds.
No Dion
With Goran Dragic being sidelined, the initial thought was that it would open up minutes for Dion Waiters. Well, it didn’t. Despite being in uniform for the first time this season, Waiters never played a single minute. Instead, he watched from the bench.
Derrick Jones Jr, however, did play. Jones played 15 minutes, scoring five points and grabbing three rebounds. The Heat forward also defended Pascal Siakam when Adebayo went to the bench. With Jones receiving playing time, it left Chris Silva out of the rotation.
Next up: The Boston Celtics. Game tips off at 7:30PMET
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