Jimmy Butler scored a team-high 26 points as the Miami Heat defeated the Toronto Raptors 121-111 in an NBA Cup game on Friday night.
With the loss, the Raptors (0-3) and Heat (2-2) are both out of the running for the NBA Cup.
In the regular season standings, Miami (9-8) improved to one game over .500, tying their season-high record. Meanwhile, Toronto dropped to a league-worst 1-11 on the road.
Butler, who missed the fourth quarter of Miami’s last game because of a back injury, made 8-of-14 shots, including 2-of-4 from three-point range.
Bam Adebayo also had a strong performance for Miami, finishing with a triple-double of 14 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists. Tyler Herro added 23 points.
For Toronto, Scottie Barnes posted a triple-double as well, with 24 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists. RJ Barrett scored 25 points, had seven assists, and grabbed six rebounds, while Jakob Poeltl added 24 points and 10 rebounds.
The first quarter was tough for both teams. Toronto led 21-20, even though they turned the ball over eight times. Miami had only one turnover, but they struggled with their shooting, making only 2-of-17 three-point attempts.
Both teams found their rhythm in the second quarter. Toronto shot 75 percent from the field and committed just three turnovers, while Miami shot 58.3 percent, including 5-of-10 from three-point range.
At halftime, Toronto led 61-58, with the first half featuring six lead changes and six ties. Barnes led the Raptors with 15 points, while Butler had 13 for Miami.
In the third quarter, Miami pulled ahead 77-67, but Toronto answered with a 12-0 run to take a 79-77 lead. Miami then scored 11 straight points to regain the lead at 88-79.
Miami entered the fourth quarter with a 96-84 lead and managed to hold on for the win.
For the game, the Heat made 21-of-54 three-point attempts (38.9 percent) and outscored Toronto 63-33 from beyond the arc.
