MIAMI—Erik Spoelstra, head coach of the Miami Heat, might have put it best when trying to make sense of a sometimes messy Eastern Conference semifinal with the Toronto Raptors.
“I don’t think either team looks remotely like they did during the regular season in terms of style of play that happen in the playoffs and you just have to figure it out,” he said.
Saturday’s Game 3 was indeed out of the norm due to injuries and odd matchups, and these five moments:
New look, new assignment
The change to Patrick Patterson instead of Norman Powell in the starting lineup got Toronto to a more traditional lineup and should have gotten them a bit more shooting prowess.