Toronto Raptors' RJ Barrett pushes toward the basket while being defended by Miami Heat’s Kel’el Ware and Andrew Wiggins during the first half of an NBA game in Toronto on Friday, February 21, 2025. (Photo: The Canadian Press/Chris Young)


February 22, 2025 Tags:

The Toronto Raptors struggled in their 120-111 overtime loss to the Miami Heat on Friday, largely due to a sluggish first quarter and missing Jakob Poeltl’s presence.

Barrett’s Second-Half Surge Falls Short

RJ Barrett, a Mississauga native, had a slow start but caught fire after halftime, scoring 23 of his 29 points in the second half. Despite his efforts, Toronto couldn’t overcome its early deficit. The Raptors trailed by as many as 14 points in the opening quarter, with Barrett failing to score in that stretch.

"We started slow but fought back," Barrett said post-game. "We won the second, third, and fourth quarters, but the first made the difference."

Raptors Rally, But Miami Holds Firm

Immanuel Quickley played a key role in Toronto’s comeback, finishing with 23 points, seven rebounds, and three assists. He and Barrett combined for 19 points in the third quarter, cutting Miami’s lead. In the fourth, Barrett took charge, scoring nine points and keeping the Raptors in the game.

Overtime, however, was a different story. Barrett scored all four of Toronto’s points, while the rest of the team failed to make a shot, going 0-for-6. Miami capitalized on this drought, securing the win.

Trash Talk Fuels Barrett’s Performance

A heated exchange with former teammate Davion Mitchell, who joined the Heat ahead of the trade deadline, fired up Barrett.

"(Mitchell) was talking nonstop," Barrett said. "He started even before he scored. Scottie (Barnes) heard it and called a play for me. That got me rolling."

Rajakovic Blames Slow Start

Head coach Darko Rajakovic pointed to the poor first quarter as the deciding factor. Toronto committed seven turnovers early, allowing Miami to dominate.

"The game was decided in the first quarter," Rajakovic said. "We won the rest, but we need a stronger start."

Missing Poeltl Hurts Raptors’ Defense

While Toronto’s trio of Barrett, Quickley, and Barnes played just their eighth game together this season, Poeltl’s absence was the biggest setback. The veteran center, sidelined since Feb. 4 with a hip injury, left a void in the Raptors' defence.

"Jak is the glue," Rajakovic said. "He sets screens, spaces the floor, and holds our defence together."

Without Poeltl, Miami’s Bam Adebayo dominated, posting 19 points and 12 rebounds. The Heat outscored the Raptors 54-36 in the paint.

Barnes’ Brief Injury Scare

Scottie Barnes provided a scare in the first quarter, rolling his ankle. However, he returned and finished with 13 points and six rebounds in 38 minutes.

How useful was this post?

Click on a star to rate it!

Average rating 0 / 5. Vote count: 0

No votes so far! Be the first to rate this post.

You may also like

Hall of Famer, Bears legend Steve 'Mongo' McMichael dies at 67 after ALS battle

Chicago, IL — Steve "Mongo" McMichael, a former Chicago Bears defensive standout and NFL Hall of Famer, has died at....

Adrian Kempe’s Double Strike Powers Kings Past Oilers

Adrian Kempe led the charge for the Los Angeles Kings as they overwhelmed the Edmonton Oilers 6-2 on Wednesday night,....

Hurricanes Take 2–0 Series Lead with Win Over Devils

The Carolina Hurricanes pulled off a solid 3-1 victory over the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday night, pushing them ahead....

Senators Show Promise Despite Overtime Loss to Leafs in Game 2

In their Game 2 matchup against the Toronto Maple Leafs, the Ottawa Senators showed resilience, despite an overtime loss that....

Canadiens Rally Late but Fall Short Against Capitals in Game 1

Washington, D.C. — The Montreal Canadiens showed serious fight in their playoff opener Monday night, even though the result didn’t....

Kings Survive Oilers Comeback, Win 6-5 in Dramatic Opener

The Los Angeles Kings opened their playoff series with a nail-biting 6-5 victory over the Edmonton Oilers, despite nearly letting....

Connor's Key Goal Puts Jets Ahead 2-0 in Series vs Blues

Kyle Connor is making a name for himself this playoff season, scoring crucial game-winning goals for the Winnipeg Jets. After....

Senators’ Discipline Falters in Game 1 Loss to Maple Leafs

The Ottawa Senators returned to the NHL playoffs for the first time in eight years on Sunday night—but their long-awaited....

Hurricanes Dominate Devils 4-1 in Playoff Opener

Logan Stankoven made a memorable debut in the Stanley Cup Playoffs by scoring twice in the second period, helping the....

Linesman Bryan Pancich Injured in Wild vs Golden Knights Game

The opening game of the Stanley Cup Playoffs between the Minnesota Wild and the Vegas Golden Knights took a surprising....

Francis, Springer shine As Blue Jays Hold Off Mariners 3-1

The Toronto Blue Jays kicked off their weekend series with a solid 3-1 win over the Seattle Mariners at Rogers....

Grizzlies Cruise Past Mavericks To Lock In Playoff Spot

The Memphis Grizzlies stamped their place in the NBA playoffs Friday night with a 120-106 win over the Dallas Mavericks.....