Toronto, Canada — The Miami Heat pulled off a thrilling 120-111 victory over the Toronto Raptors on February 21, 2025, marking their first win after a disappointing four-game losing streak. Tyler Herro led the charge for Miami, scoring 28 points and contributing seven assists, as the team displayed resilience against the Raptors' efforts to stage a comeback.
Despite trailing by as many as 14 points early on, the Raptors, powered by the dynamic duo of RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley, found their rhythm and matched the Heat stride for stride. Barrett netted 29 points, including 23 scored after halftime, showcasing why he is Toronto's leading scorer this season.
Andrew Wiggins, who hails from Vaughan, Ontario, also had a significant impact on the game, finishing with 25 points and grabbing eight rebounds. His late-game heroics, including three consecutive free throws with just 45 seconds left in regulation, tied the game at 107-107, forcing overtime.
“Wiggins made three free throws with 45.1 seconds left... to tie the game,” noted The Canadian Press. His clutch performance not only reignited the Heat's hopes but also set the stage for their dominant display in the overtime period.
During the extra five minutes, Miami rode the momentum from Wiggins’ late-game contributions, launching on a 12-2 run to secure their victory. Bam Adebayo played his part with 19 points and 12 rebounds, adding to the Heat’s strong collective effort.
On the Raptors' side, Quickley provided valuable support with 23 points, along with seven rebounds and three assists. The Raptors' season has been riddled with challenges, including injuries. Scottie Barnes briefly exited the game after rolling his ankle but managed to return and add 13 points and six rebounds over 38 minutes.
Despite the loss, Barrett's performance was noteworthy. He surpassed 7,000 career points with his 19th point of the game, becoming one of only five active Canadians to reach this milestone. This season, Barrett has emerged as a key player for Toronto, leading the team’s scorers.
Key moments from the game included Quickley's pivotal 26-foot three-pointer, which gave Toronto the lead briefly, though it was contested throughout by Miami's defense.
Jakob Poeltl sat out for Toronto due to a right hip pointer, meaning Orlando Robinson took the starting center position, finishing the night with nine points, five rebounds, and four assists. Toronto continues to look for consistency with new roster adjustments, including Brandon Ingram’s anticipated debut still on hold due to injury.
The Raptors will look to bounce back when they host the Phoenix Suns on Sunday, aiming to turn around their recent fortunes, currently sitting at 17-39 for the season. Meanwhile, the Miami Heat, improving to 26-28, will hit the road to face the Milwaukee Bucks next, eager to continue their winning momentum after Friday night’s excitement.
Both teams demonstrated the fierce competitiveness typical of NBA matchups, and fans are left eager for the next encounters as the regular season progresses.