The fact the Toronto Raptors were going to struggle without Kyle Lowry was expected. But most everything else about last night’s loss to the Miami Heat was a surprise.
Lowry’s back injury, suffered late in Toronto’s OT victory in Brooklyn, pushed Delon Wright into the starting lineup at the point. The third-year guard acquitted himself well on offense, scoring in double figures and adding 4 assists without committing a turnover. In fact, the entire team was scrupulous with the ball despite tight coverage. Toronto was charged with a mere 5 turnovers compared to the visitors’ 17.
Serge Ibaka was on his way to a solid game when he and former Raptor James Johnson traded elbow-punches (I just made that word up, but it fits) in the key in Q3.