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Raptors even up playoff series, edge out Heat in OT

Xinhua, May 6, 2016 Adjust font size:

Toronto Raptors edged out Miami Heat 96-92 in overtime in the second game of their NBA Eastern Conference Semi-Finals series on Thursday night.

Raptors forward DeMarre Carroll led the way with a game-high 21 points and five rebounds while center Jonas Valanciunas scored 11 of his 15 points in the fourth quarter and overtime to lead the team to the win.

"He was our savior tonight offensively," coach Dwane Casey said of Carroll's performance following the victory in Toronto. "DeMarre was huge with some of the shots he made in transition."

Toronto All-Stars DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry continued their shooting woes, combining for 16-for-46 (34.8 percent) from the field, 1-for-7 (14.3 percent) from the three-point line, and 5-for-14 (35.7 percent) from the free throw line.

Overall, Raptors shot 39-for-93 (41.9 percent) and have now shot below 45.0 percent for 11 consecutive games, tying the Atlanta Hawks (May 13, 2015 to April 26, 2016) for the second-longest streak in the NBA since 1984.

"It's a grind. It's been ugly," said DeRozan following the win. "We knew that it wasn't going to be pretty. As long as we can come out with the W it really doesn't matter how we're playing but it's going to come."

Despite his low shooting percentage in Thursday night's win, DeRozan managed to score 20 points, the fifth time he has scored at least 20 points in this postseason.

The game was also the third consecutive one that the two teams have reached overtime. Game one on Tuesday and their final regular season game on March 12 needed an extra frame.

Raptors will need more efficient performances from Lowry and DeRozan if they want to win in regulation.

The series now shifts to Miami for games three and four. Game three takes place at American Airlines Arena on Saturday night. Endit