After multiple weeks of injuries and COVID delays, the Miami Heat have a nearly healthy roster. Miami welcomed back a recovered Bam Adebayo to their starting lineup on Monday, January 17, against the Toronto Raptors. Celebrating MLK Day in front of their home crowd, the Heat’s only usual starter missing was Kyle Lowry, who missed the contest due to personal reasons. While the former Toronto point guard did not play his former team, he will have up to three more chances later in the 2022 campaign.
Recap
The Heat out-shot the Raptors in all three facets of the game. Miami had higher percentages from the field (45.8%), the free throw line (86.4%), and the three point line (37.5%). In a relatively low-scoring game, Miami took a 58-51 lead into the half. Despite being outscored 48-46 in the second half, the Heat held on and got back on the winning track, 104-99.
Two numbers that jump off the stat sheet are the defensive numbers for the Heat. With 11 steals and eight blocks, Miami was active on the defensive end all night. Adebayo played 31 minutes in his first game back and finished with 14 points and nine rebounds. Tyler Herro did his usual scoring off the bench and chipped in 23 points. Jimmy Butler, who made just 1-11 field goals two nights ago, tied LeBron James’ Heat record for most career triple-doubles. Butler dropped 19 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists in the defensive slug-fest.
Up Next
The Heat will conclude their four-game home stand against the Portland Trail Blazers on Star Wars night, which is Wednesday, January 19. The Blazers, who welcomed back CJ McCollum on Monday night, have won their last two contests, which have been against two of Miami’s Southeast Division rivals. Miami will look to stop Portland’s winning ways in what is sure to be a shootout in FTX Arena.