Cory Joseph and Terrence Ross led the Raptors with 14 points apiece as DeMar DeRozan (nine) and Kyle Lowry (10) were limited.
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The NBA contacted the Heat and requested that the team ensure there is enough time for the anthem performances when a Canadian team is visiting Miami.
Kyle Lowry scored five points in the final minute of the fourth quarter to lead the Raptors to a 99-91 win over the Heat in Game 5 of their second-round series on Wednesday.
The Heat found some positives in the second half.
However, Miami head coach Erik Spoelstra has responded with the ESPN reporter’s comments.
With forward Chris Bosh sidelined since midseason following a recurrence of blood clots, it basically left the Heat without their entire front line.
Hours before taking a 3-2 series lead, Lowry said it was “scary” that he and DeRozan hadn’t gotten going.
Both teams were already missing their starting centres in Miami’s Hassan Whiteside (knee) and Toronto’s Jonas Valanciunas (ankle). Two late jump-shot daggers by Lowry proved decisive.
Wade again led the Heat in scoring with 20 points, while Goran Dragic added 13. And Dwyane Wade may or may not have disrespected the entirety of Canada.
Lowry and DeRozan made six of 28 shot attempts and scored 19 total points as Toronto lost 94-87 in overtime in Game 4.
On Saturday, May 7 for Game 3 Wade chose to get more shots up in the midst of the Canadian national anthem, “O’ Canada”.
Notes: Casey said there was no update on DeMar DeRozan’s sore thumb but added he’d be “ready to go” on Friday.
Deng was injured in the third quarter of Wednesday’s game and had a precautionary MRI here Thursday afternoon that revealed no structural damage or fractures.
Lowry’s reverse layup put Toronto up by 20 points just three-and-a-half minutes before halftime, but with Lowry on the bench for a breather, the Heat ended the quarter on a 10-0 run, cutting the Raptors’ lead to 55-45 at halftime.
Bismack Biyombo had 10 points for Toronto, which can clinch its first conference finals berth with a win in Game 6 at Miami on Friday. They outscored the Raptors 29-24 in the fourth quarter behind nine points from Josh Richardson, eight points from Wade and six points from Joe Johnson.
“I have so much respect for the Toronto Raptors, obviously, and I have respect for the country of Canada. Getting down big early, down 10 at the end of the first, from then we played great basketball”.
Raptors forward DeMarre Carroll was helped off the court with an injury with 1:16 to play in the third quarter after crashing to the floor beneath Toronto’s offensive basket.
DeRozan led all scorers with 34 points.
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McRoberts was both the first Heat reserve and the first Heat player in foul trouble, with two during his three-minute stint in the opening period.
