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Last Updated: May 9th, 2011 - 08:37:04 |
Miami Heat (30-13) At Toronto Raptors (18-24), 7 P.m
By WFTV
Jan 26, 2005, 17:54
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The steadily improving Toronto Raptors will try to continue their resurgence tonight, when they close out a two-game homestand against the Miami Heat at Air Canada Centre.
Toronto has won six of eight and eight of its last 11 games, including a 103-92 victory over Charlotte on Sunday. Morris Peterson finished with 26 points to lead the Raptors the victory. Peterson, who hit 8-of-15 from the field, including 4-of-7 from three-point range and 6-of-6 at the free throw line, has scored in double digits in 13 of the last 14 games. The Raptors are 8-0 when Peterson scores 19 or more points.
Jalen Rose scored 22 points off the bench for the Raptors, who rebounded from Friday's loss in Washington to win for the eighth time in 11 games. Rose registered 14 key points in the final stanza. The Michigan product is posting 11.2 points in the fourth quarter during the past six games.
Chris Bosh added 21 points and eight rebounds in the win, while Rafer Alston notched 14 points and eight assists. Toronto hit 50.6 percent from the field, including 10-of-22 (.455) from three-point range. The Raptors also drained 15- of-18 (.833) from the free throw line.
The Raptors were forced to play without forwards Donyell Marshall (sprained right wrist) and Lamond Murray (upper respiratory infection). Marshall and Murray are questionable for tonight's contest.
Due to their recent success, the Raptors have climbed the standings in the weak Atlantic Division. Toronto is trailing first place Philadelphia by just two contests.
Toronto, which has won five straight and 10 of its last 11 home tilts, is 15-5 in its friendly confines this season.
Miami, which owns the best record (30-13) in the Eastern Conference, is coming off a 106-98 defeat at the hands of the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wachovia Center on Monday night. Shaquille O'Neal recorded 24 points to lead the Heat, who lost for the third time in five games. Miami fell to 21-4 within the Eastern Conference this season.
Dwyane Wade finished with 17 points, 11 assists and six rebounds for the Heat. Wade went just 3-of-13 from the field and had six turnovers, but was a perfect 11-of-11 from the foul line.
Eddie Jones added 14 points in the loss, while Udonis Haslem posted 13 points and nine rebounds before fouling out.
The Heat hit 43.4 percent from the field, including 7-of-20 (.350) from three- point range. Miami did struggle at the foul line, hitting just 25-of-37 (.676) attempts.
Miami, which is in the middle of a three-game road trip, has dropped four of its last five road contests. The Heat have tallied a 14-8 mark in foreign buildings this season.
These teams have split a pair of meetings this year with the home team winning both games. Nonetheless, Miami has won seven of nine and eight of the last 13 meetings overall. In fact, the Heat have won four consecutive contests in Toronto.
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