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When Bam Adebayo buried a three-pointer, on an open look no much less in opposition to a defensively poor Raptors group, Toronto’s destiny had lastly been decided.
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Bam’s basket got here with 2:41 remaining within the opening half, a bucket that might give the host Warmth a 60-42 lead Friday night time Kaseya Heart.
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Not that the Raptors had any likelihood to beat the Warmth, but it surely was clear the guests couldn’t look ahead to the season to finish.
That second will arrive late Sunday afternoon when Toronto’s keep in South Seashore concludes.
Unofficially, the second arrived weeks in the past when Toronto’s run into sheer mediocrity tipped off on March 1, punctuated by an embarrassing 15-game shedding streak.
Whereas Miami stays a group with a longtime tradition and a method of play that by no means wavers, the Raptors lack id, expertise and a imaginative and prescient.
Trailing by 18 factors and displaying no indicators of even attempting to mount a comeback, the night time grew to become an train in redundancy and futility.
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No less than they’ll know they may end with the sixth-worst report within the NBA following their 125-103 loss to Miami.
And with it, the Raptors have a forty five.8% likelihood of touchdown a top-six choose within the coming draft.
If the draft lottery sees the Raptors fall exterior the No. 6 slot, the choice will belong to the San Antonio Spurs as a part of final yr’s commerce deadline deal involving Jakob Poeltl, who was harm in a house win over Charlotte, two nights after Scottie Barnes was injured in a house loss to Golden State.
As unhealthy because the Raptors have been, whatever the many accidents and the numerous gamers who’ve dressed for the group, the NBA is dotted with sad-sack franchises, a sorry lot that options the Hornets, Detroit, San Antonio, Washington and Portland.
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The Raptors will undoubtedly cite the trades that despatched OG Anunoby to New York and Pascal Siakam to Indiana, the accidents to Barnes and Poeltl, or every other excuse when attempting to dissect the carnage.
Nobody can buy it realizing the Raptors have been unwatchable.
On uncommon nights once they do play nicely, the opposition is inferior or when enormous deficits are created Toronto’s perceived sense of impressed play is an phantasm.
Fortunately, all of it ends Sunday.
Toronto’s most obtrusive weak spot, exterior of the apparent expertise disparity, is on the defensive finish.
The Warmth torched the Raptors within the paint, on the perimeter and scored when forcing turnovers.
Miami scored the sport’s first basket and by no means trailed.
Solely as soon as was the sport tied, 10-10.
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It was unhealthy basketball, the kind of sport that has been allowed to play out for what looks like the complete season.
Individuals wish to complain concerning the lack of fouls, however the Raptors have by no means established a constant fashion of play.
It additionally hurts the membership’s case when there’s no professional famous person on the ground.
Technically, Barnes performed on this yr’s all-star sport, however he was chosen as an damage substitute.
For what it’s value, Toronto’s beginning group Friday night time wasn’t that unhealthy, however solely when in comparison with what the group has been compelled to area, which has been past unhealthy.
R.J. Barrett did have a really good sport, was in a position to get to the road and clear the glass.
He posted a double-double halfway by means of the third quarter.
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Barrett, whose mother and father had been in attendance, ended the night time by scoring a game-high 35 factors to enrich his 11-rebound efficiency.
To be truthful, the Raptors had been a bit extra aggressive within the second half, but it surely hardly excuses their inexcusable first-half efficiency.
Nonetheless, after three quarters the Raptors trailed, 92-75.
HEAT CHECK
Miami took the play-in path to advance all the best way to the NBA Finals final spring the place it will definitely misplaced to the Denver Nuggets.
With the NBA poised to finish its common season Sunday, the assorted playoff matchups and play-in groups will formally be established.
Heading into Friday’s play, the Warmth’s destiny was very a lot up within the air.
In a nutshell, Miami requires assist from the Orlando Magic and Philadelphia 76ers to keep away from a second straight play-in match.
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If each consequence goes Miami’s approach, it’s going to create a three-way tie with the Magic and 76ers.
On this state of affairs, Miami will get the nod based mostly on a greater convention report.
If Orlando and Philly takes care of their enterprise, the Warmth can be slotted within the play-in draw.
A win within the play-in vaults Miami into the playoffs.
In the event you recall, Miami misplaced to visiting Atlanta in final spring’s play-in after which performed host to Chicago after the Bulls beat the Raptors in Toronto.
“We’re going to set ourselves as much as in all probability be within the play-in,” mentioned sharpshooter Tyler Herro.
“We’ve been there earlier than and we’ll determine it out.”
Herro, who was sidelined following a foot damage, returned to Miami’s lineup this previous Tuesday when he scored a team-high 33 factors in a 117-111 double OT street win in opposition to the Atlanta Hawks.
Herro was in Miami’s beginning unit Friday night time.
“I don’t care concerning the standings,” mentioned Warmth head coach Erik Spoelstra. “I’m targeted on getting my group taking part in the appropriate approach.”
Reality is, the standings do care.
To nail down the No. 7 seed, which assures the Warmth of avoiding Boston within the opening spherical, Miami might want to win the 7-8 matchup within the play-in.
A loss within the 7-8 sport would end in Miami taking part in the winner of the 9-10 sport between the Hawks and Bulls for the No. 8 seed.
Both approach, a lot can be at stake Sunday, together with Miami’s destiny.
fzicarelli@postmedia.com
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