Mateo’s Hoop Diary: The Heat handled the Raptors in Miami in the fourth Emirates Cup match of the season

The Heat overpowered the lowly Toronto Raptors in the fourth Emirates Cup match of the year, improving to a 9-8 record. Bam Adebayo recorded his eighth career triple-double, and the crew also set their season high in 3-point makes (21) after poor marksmanship in the first half.

The first quarter was a defensive battle. The hosts held the Raptors to 21 points and forced seven turnovers by pressuring passes and stripping the ball handler. They also deployed a 2-2-1 press and tight man-to-man coverage.

On offense, Tyler Herro and Jimmy Butler were the only ones with multiple baskets, while the rest of the team made three of 15.

Subsequently, the Raptors’ defense contested perimeter shots promptly for the start of the second quarter, and their attack amassed 40 digits. Jakob Poeltl didn’t miss on four tries from six feet to the cup and closer. R.J. Barrett scored by spinning his way to the cup, slicing twice through the middle and making a wing triple. Scottie Barnes added seven points from short and long-range, plus he made two freebies.

On the other side, the offense found itself after missing five shots in a row, three-and-a-half minutes in. Eight Heatles registered the next 12 of 17 field goals. On top of that, Herro, Butler, Duncan Robinson and Kevin Love made five straight shots past the midway mark of the period.

At halftime, the Heat was behind 58-61. They had 26 paint points, three on the break, six via second chances, 13 off turnovers and 17 from the bench.

The Raptors had 32 paint points, four in the open court, seven on extra tries, 12 off turnovers and 10 from the reserves.

 Then the hosts matched their second-quarter output with 38 points in the third quarter. Herro added two triples and used Adebayo’s handoff to dribble into the lane for a floater with contact. Adebayo scored five points and dished three dimes, including the connection with Butler on the prettiest play of the night- a contested outlet pass that the latter gently made off the glass. Butler did damage from the line and close range. And the rest of the squad added six of eight shots.

At one point, the defense slipped up during the period, giving up five consecutive Raptor baskets to Barrett, Ochai Agbaji, Barnes, and Davion Mitchell. Yet, it was mostly strict, permitting the visitors 38% accuracy.

The fourth quarter started with the Heat ahead 96-84. But the defensive intensity waned, allowing drives through the center and an uncontested triple. On offense, the 3-point shooting- seven of 15 makes- bailed out the hosts.

The Heat won 121-111. The team had 36 paint points, 14 on the break, 12 via second chances, 27 off turnovers and 42 from the bench.

Butler had 26 points on eight of 14 attempts, with two rebounds, six assists and two steals.

Herro put up 23 points on 44% shooting, with three rebounds, four assists, one steal and one giveaway.

And Adebayo logged 14 points on six of 16 tries, with 10 rebounds, 10 assists, three steals and one turnover.

The Raptors had 62 paint points, eight in the open court, 11 via second chances, 14 off turnovers and 19 from the reserves.

Poeltl recorded 24 points, making 10 of 11 shots, with 10 rebounds, one assist and two turnovers.

Barrett had 25 points on 10 of 18 attempts, with six rebounds, seven assists and six turnovers.

And Barnes had 24 points on 53.3% shooting, with 10 rebounds, 10 assists, one steal, one block and five giveaways.

Observations:

1. Jaime Jaquez Jr. had his strongest game of the season, making six of nine shots. He made two catch-and-shoot threes, broke into the lane for multiple layups in the half-court, and scored in transition.

In the locker room, Butler said, “I like when he’s aggressive. I like when he’s playing with so much confidence that he can celebrate.”

2. Adebayo also had his top playmaking night of the season, logging a 10 in assist-to-turnover ratio. His highest mark in the category before this game was five, set on Nov. 26 in the loss versus the Milwaukee Bucks.

Against the Raptors, five of his dimes came via handoff and five were regular passes.

3. The Heat logged 13 of 23 baskets in the restricted area, shooting 8.9 points below the league average.

4. The Heat took good care of the ball and had their season low in turnovers (8).

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