The Miami Heat had their playoff run end with a 116-89 loss to the Toronto Raptors on Sunday at Air Canada Centre.
After forcing a seventh game, Miami likely knew it would not be easy to capture the series on the road. A key to winning a game as an underdog is keeping the score close at the half. Miami did just that in this one and gave itself a legitimate chance. That was until Toronto's fourth quarter turned the game into a blowout.
Toronto won the first quarter by one point before taking a six-point lead into halftime. Part of the problem for the Heat was the foul trouble that Dwyane Wade found himself in. Looking to avoid a third personal foul in the first half, Wade appeared to play a little more cautiously and was switched off the court at times.
The Raptors would go on a 12-2 run during the third quarter to give them a 17-point lead. That large advantage came with just over four minutes to play in the quarter. At that point, Miami would go on a 9-0 run of its own to trim the deficit to eight. The teams would then exchange baskets and Toronto took an eight-point lead into the final quarter.
Miami was unable to get closer before Toronto extended the lead back to 13 early in the fourth quarter. The Raptors would continue to rely on strong rebounding and shooting to maintain the lead the rest of the way. Miami was out-rebounded in the game 50-30.
The Heat will now head into the off-season with many questions and contract decisions. Wade, Luol Deng and Hassan Whiteside will all be free agents in what is expected to be an active market.
