The Raptors fought off the Heat in triple overtime — an instant classic in Miami

MIAMI The Raptors play all these fantastic and dramatic video games, shut and bitter fights with superb groups. Why wouldn’t they wish to lengthen the odd one an additional quarter-hour?

To a protracted listing of shut, super video games the Raptors have performed this season, add a 124-120 triple-overtime win over the Miami Warmth right here Saturday night time.

It was like so many different video games this season: shut all through, a strong efficiency, a lot to be impressed by and as near an instantaneous franchise traditional as you’ll get.

Pascal Siakam made two free throws with 9.8 seconds left within the third time beyond regulation because the Raptors lastly obtained a win after enjoying a strong, exhausting sport towards a top-level opponent.

Gary Trent Jr. led Toronto with 33 factors and Jimmy Butler had 37 for the Warmth in among the finest regular-season affairs in a while.

All 5 Raptors starters had not less than 19 factors, and all 5 performed greater than 53 minutes in among the finest wins of the season.

Fred VanVleet calmly made a 27-foot three-pointer with 41.5 seconds left within the second time beyond regulation to offer Toronto a 114-112 lead that Tyler Herro erased seconds later to arrange the third time beyond regulation — simply the fourth in Toronto franchise, and the primary since 2014.

Three-pointers within the closing minute of regulation by Miami’s P.J. Tucker and Herro, after the Warmth had been a cumulative 10-for-33 from past the arc to that time, gave Miami a two-point lead that seemed like it will arise.

However after OG Anunoby missed a three-pointer with lower than 5 seconds left, Scottie Barnes was fouled going for a rebound – a name solely confirmed after video replay and his two foul photographs with 2.9 seconds left tied the sport.

The entire night time was delightfully intense and bodily between groups which are growing a wholesome rivalry.

There have been hits on the rim, rock-solid screens set and gamers routinely winding up on the court docket. It’s usually that approach in Warmth-Raptors video games, nevertheless it’s been extra of a Raptors trademark of late.

“We've got change into a bit extra feisty right here in the previous couple of weeks. I don’t know the place they get that from, nevertheless it’s good to see,” coach Nick Nurse stated Saturday morning.

“There’s been a number of feedback to me about that, folks saying ‘When did Toronto get so imply?’ from gamers on the opposite staff coming by me throughout the sport.

“I prefer it. I believe that it's a robust battle on the market and also you’ve obtained to face up for your self.”

The Warmth had been as soon as once more with out Kyle Lowry, who missed his seventh straight sport for private causes. It’s wanting much less and fewer probably that he’ll be again to play in Toronto on Tuesday. The 35-year-old ex-Raptor hasn’t performed since Jan. 15.

“I believe it’s at all times actually vital to appreciate basketball is second, third. It’s not round that space on folks’s listing of significance,” Butler informed reporters Friday.

“You’ve at all times obtained to verify the household is nice, your self is nice.”