Heat’s NBA Cup Dreams Dead in Water Despite Big Win vs. Raptors

Despite a strong performance from the Miami Heat, their NBA Cup dreams have come to an end. In their final NBA Cup group play matchup, the Heat secured a 121-111 win over the Toronto Raptors, but their chances to advance were dashed after a crucial loss earlier in the tournament. Here are three key takeaways from Miami’s win against Toronto:

1. Cold Start from Three-Point Range

The Heat had a frustrating first half, particularly with their three-point shooting. Known for their strong shooting from beyond the arc, Miami struggled early, making just two of 20 attempts from three. Duncan Robinson, the team’s most dynamic three-point shooter, missed his first five shots from deep, finishing with just one of eight from three-point range. By halftime, Miami had managed just seven of 27 attempts from long-range, well below their usual standards.

Despite this, Miami finished the game shooting 44.9% from the field, and their improved shooting in the second half played a big role in securing the win. Meanwhile, the Raptors were dominant in the paint, shooting a scorching 61.5% from the field in the first half, with 32 of their 61 first-half points coming from inside.

2. Resilient Second Half by the Heat

After a lackluster first half, the Heat turned things around dramatically in the third quarter. Miami outscored the Raptors 38-23 in the period, led by their star players. Jimmy Butler, who had been recovering from back tightness, showed no signs of limitation, scoring 14 points in the half. Tyler Herro added nine, and Bam Adebayo chipped in with six.

The Heat’s bench also stepped up, particularly Jaime Jaquez Jr., who scored eight points in the third quarter, helping to fuel Miami’s offensive resurgence. After shooting poorly from three in the first half, the Heat came alive in the third, connecting on seven of 12 three-point attempts.

In the fourth quarter, Terry Rozier came through with a burst of scoring, hitting three big three-pointers, contributing to Miami’s double-digit lead. Despite a strong push from Toronto, the Heat held on, with Butler hitting some clutch shots to seal the victory.

3. Heat’s NBA Cup Elimination

While the Heat secured a much-needed win over the Raptors, their quest for the NBA Cup ended with a whimper. Even though they finished the group stage on a high note, Miami was eliminated from contention after the Atlanta Hawks defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers earlier in the day. This result mathematically ensured the Heat would not advance to the knockout rounds.

For the second consecutive year, the Heat failed to make it out of the NBA Cup group stage, despite high hopes for the tournament. Miami’s elimination was marked by multiple setbacks, including a controversial loss against the Detroit Pistons in the opening game. In that matchup, Erik Spoelstra’s phantom timeout was seen as a turning point, leading to the Heat’s downfall in what should have been a winnable game.

Heat’s Mixed NBA Cup Journey

Though they managed a strong victory against the Raptors, the Miami Heat’s NBA Cup journey has come to a disappointing end. Their group-stage struggles, including key losses and critical moments like the phantom timeout, left them out of contention for the new prize. With the focus now back on the regular season, the Heat will look to regroup and build momentum for the rest of the year. While the NBA Cup may be out of reach, the team’s resilience, especially in the second half against Toronto, shows promise for future challenges.