Toronto Raptors’ DeMar DeRozan reacts after being fouled by Miami Heat’s Udonis Haslem, left, during the second half in Game 1 of a second round NBA basketball playoff series in Toronto on Tuesday, May 3, 2016…. “We got out of one series with me not playing well, not shooting the ball well – but we have to get out of this next series, and I have to play better and shoot the ball better”.
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“I tell him all the time, good or bad, I’ve got the utmost confidence in him”, DeRozan said. “It’s definitely something I don’t want to play with”.
After Wade drilled a three-pointer, Lowry fired back with a basket, but Dragic, who played the second half with eight stitches in his lip, sunk a heartbreaking three with 10.5 seconds left to send the game into overtime tied 86-86.
Lowry’s improbable 3-pointer from his own side of the halfcourt line capped Toronto’s six-point comeback in the final 20 seconds of regulation, but the Raptors couldn’t deliver in the extra session.
Whiteside’s 24 blocks in the first round against Charlotte erased Alonzo Mourning’s club record of 21 for a seven-game series.
“Throughout my whole career, I’ve always wanted to go against (Dwyane) Wade in a playoff series”. I don’t care if you miss 15 shots, I’m going to stand behind him just like if he’s making 15 shots in a row.
Motivated to improve his shooting, Lowry went back out onto the main court at Air Canada Centre to continue practicing after speaking with the media.
Lowry, meanwhile, had been limited to just seven points in a terrible performance in Game 1, and stayed on the court until 1:15 a.m. shooting alone. “You can say a lot to encourage him, but I feel like Kyle as the individual and a competitor, who he is, he has to look in the mirror and say ‘I’m Kyle Lowry'”. Whiteside is a game changer on the defensive end and for a team that relies on attacking the basket it is essential for the Raptors to do their best to take Whiteside away from the basket.
The Heat and Bosh announced Wednesday that he wouldn’t play again this season, ending speculation in recent days that the All-Star forward would try to return during the playoffs.
With the Raptors out of timeouts and 3.3 seconds left in the fourth quarter, Miami’s Hassan Whiteside could only split free throws, giving the Heat a three-point lead.
The Raptors say they’re used to being overlooked and written off. “I think that’s what (my shooting struggles) did to me a little bit”. “We played together in Houston”.
The Raptors shot just 6-for-20 in the third quarter, and the Heat ended the frame on a 13-2 run to take their first lead since early in the first. He scored seven of his 24 points during the overtime period. After the 102-96 overtime loss, Lowry was spotted on the court putting up shots.
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“Even though he didn’t shoot the ball well, he was effective down the stretch”, Raptors coach Dwane Casey said. “When we need that huge play, on offense or defense, he’s gonna come up with it”.
