The Miami Heat (2-2) will visit the Toronto Raptors (3-1) at the Air Canada Centre on Friday as the 2016-2017 NBA regular season continues.
Start Time and Streaming Info
The game starts at 7:30 p.m. ET. It can be viewed live online thru the NBA League Pass.
Preview
Miami has split its first four games this season as the club continues to try and find a way to survive without any superstars in their roster. Goran Dragic and Hassan Whiteside has been keeping the team afloat as they average 20.0 points and 19.8 points so far.
Dragic is also contributing 7.0 assists per game while Whiteside is collaring a monstrous 13.8 rebounds a night for head coach Erik Spoelstra.
In their most recent match, the Heat rally in overtime to topple the Sacramento Kings, 108-96, at the American Airlines Arena on Tuesday to stop a two-game losing skid, the Sun-Sentinel reported.
Dragic led the team with a brilliant all-around performance, scoring 25 points, grabbing eight rebounds, and dishing off eight assists in an almost triple-double effort. He also had two steals and two blocked shots.
Whiteside is still a beast in the interior with 14 points, 11 boards, and two blocks playing only 28 minutes due to foul trouble.
"I think it was good for us to go through another emotional game in the second half," said Spoelstra with regards to the close win. "It was good to see a way for us to just grind it out."
Meanwhile, the Raptors pulled off a second straight win as they turned back the Washington Wizards, 113-103, at the Verizon Center on Wednesday, as per ESPN.
DeMar DeRozan had another huge game with 40 points, five rebounds, five assists, and two steals in 37 minutes of action to lead Toronto to their third victory of the season.
Starting point guard Kyle Lowry had 18 points, two assists, and four steals while starting center Jonas Valanciunas contributed 10 points and seven boards.
The Raptors are excellent in protecting their home court as the team won six of their last seven home matches.
Prediction
The Heat are 1-0 on the road this season and has the momentum after the win over the Kings. However, the Raptors are too good when playing at home so they are predicted to prevail in a close and hard-fought match against Dragic and company. Another big game from DeRozan is expected.