Toronto Raptors vs. Miami Heat (Feb. 24, 2021): Live score, updates, news, stats and highlights

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Kyle Irving
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The Miami Heat are surging their way back toward .500 after picking up their fourth-consecutive win, defeating the Toronto Raptors 116-108.

A near-triple-double effort from Jimmy Butler and a big double-double from Bam Adebayo was enough to fend off the Raptors' fiesty backcourt of Kyle Lowry and Fred VanVleet to come away with a victory.

We had you covered with live updates, highlights, stats and more from the game.

Final: Miami Heat 116, Toronto Raptors 108

The Raptors didn't make it easy on the Heat but Miami would weather any sign of a comeback from Toronto to come away with the win.

Jimmy Butler was a man on a mission in this one, going for 27 points, 10 assists, eight rebounds, three steals and one block to lead the Heat. Bam Adebayo was a dominating force inside, tallying a double-double of 19 points and 12 rebounds on an efficient 7-for-11 shooting from the field to give Miami an edge.

While Kyle Lowry was incredible in his first game back, going for 24 points, eight assists and seven rebounds, the star guard needed more help from his teammates. Fred VanVleet was on his game with 24 points and seven assists but with Pascal Siakam dealing with foul trouble, the star forward put out a season-low five points in a losing effort.

The Raptors bench was outscored by the Heat's bench 40-24, which was the deciding factor in the game.


End of third quarter: Heat 92, Raptors 85

The Heat lead by seven heading into the final frame, surviving an early third-quarter flurry from the Raptors. Duncan Robinson's 17 points on four 3-pointers leads the team, but the combined effort from Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo has been the difference maker. Butler is nearing triple-double territory with 13 points, eight assists and seven boards while Adebayo has notched a double-double of 15 points and 11 rebounds.

Kyle Lowry is doing his best to keep the Raptors alive with 24 points while shooting 9-for-11 from the field but he needs help from the supporting cast. Fred VanVleet has chipped in 16 points with OG Anunoby and Norman Powell adding 12 apiece, but Pascal Siakam's foul trouble has limited the star forward to just five points through three quarters.


The Raptors began the third frame on a 10-0 run to tie the game at 66 but the Heat have since regained control, leading 85-74 with 2:42 to go in the quarter.  Andre Iguodala has caught fire from 3-point range shooting 4-for-5 from deep. Jimmy Butler is flirting with a triple-double with 13 points, eight assists and seven rebounds.

Halftime: Heat 66, Raptors 56

Miami played with much more energy than Toronto in the second quarter to build a 10-point halftime lead. Jimmy Butler was the catalyst of the Heat's surgence, coming up with stops on the defensive end while facilitating the ball on the offensive end. Bam Adebayo is also having his way with the Raptors' smaller lineups, tallying nine points and 10 rebounds at the half.

For the Raptors, Kyle Lowry still hasn't cooled off with 17 points while shooting 6-for-8 from the field and 3-for-5 from 3. Pascal Siakam has been quiet in this one due to foul trouble – he has four fouls at the half – with just five points while shooting 1-for-5 from the field.


The Heat have taken their biggest lead of the game at 62-50  with 2:54 remaining in the half. The Raptors' offence has gone stagnant against Miami's zone after shooting the lights out in the first frame, shooting 1-for-5 from 3 in the frame. Jimmy Butler is stuffing the stat sheet with eight points, five assists, four rebounds, two steals and one block to spark the Heat.


End of first quarter: Raptors 35, Heat 32

The Heat came out in their patented 2-3 zone but the Raptors shredded it by going 9-for-14 from beyond the arc in the first quarter. Fred VanVleet buried three of those nine 3s, including one from  way  down town that should help open up the inside of that Miami zone.


The Raptors lead 23-21 with 3:26 remaining in the first quarter.  Kyle Lowry is back and making his presence felt with 12 points while shooting 4-for-5 from the field to pace Toronto's offence. Duncan Robinson is getting loose with nine points on a pair of 3-pointers for the Heat.


Pregame

Kyle Lowry is back, and so is the small-ball lineup. Fred VanVleet, Norman Powell, OG Anunoby and Pascal Siakam will join Lowry to make up the Raptors starting five.


Kendrick Nunn, Duncan Robinson, Jimmy Butler, Kelly Olynyk and Bam Adebayo will be the starting five for the Heat.


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Kyle Irving Photo
Kyle Irving

Kyle Irving is an NBA content producer for The Sporting News.