Toronto Raptors 101-Miami Heat 95 (Beyond the Box score)

The Miami Heat nearly overcame two double-digit deficits for a stirring comeback, but instead the Heat fell to the Toronto Raptors for the second time in as many days. The Heat (6-6) struggled with Toronto's inside-out game. Even after the game, Dwyane Wade commended Toronto's front office for constructing a well-rounded team. The Heat had to deal with a front line of Jermaine O'Neal, Chris Bosh and Andrea Bargnani. At 7-feet, Bargnani played small forward and the Raptors' guards Anthony Parker and Jose Calderon also were effective.

PLAYER OF THE GAME: Dwyane Wade had a season-high 40 points, and added 11 assists and a career-high blocked shots. On the game he was 16 of 30 from the field. He had 25 second-half points and a highlight reel of dunks and jumpers. He also was sound defensively and had an MVP-type night. After Wade received his first technical foul of the season, a flagrant foul with 1:35 left in the third quarter, he went on a tear. He said he was "mad" because he's not that kind of player. Shawn Marion deserves at least an honorable mention. He had 20 points and 14 rebounds and a solid game.

TOUGH NIGHT: Rookie Michael Beasley played a career-low 12 minutes. He got into early foul trouble, picking up two fouls within the first 72 seconds of the game and picked up his third with 8:27 left in the second quarter. He finished with seven points on 3 of 6 shooting, four rebounds and two turnovers. The shots he hit looked good but the combination of his foul trouble and shaky defense were reason enough for coach Erik Spoelstra to keep him on the bench down the stretch. Udonis Haslem had a tough night defensively, converting only 1 of 8 from the field but he had 10 rebounds.

SHUT' EM DOWN: Holding Chris Bosh to 15 points on 7 of 17 shooting might count as containing him, considering he had averaged 32.3 points on 63.3 percent shooting (31 for 49) in his past three games (entering Wednesday).

STAT OF THE NIGHT: Toronto hit 8 of 8 three-pointers in the second half and 9 of 13 on the game (69.2 percent.

THAT SAYS IT ALL: "We're going to build on this," Spoelstra said. The guys' spirits are going to be fine."

NEXT UP: The Heat hosts the Indiana Pacers Saturday at 7:30 p.m.

Comments

[B-easy]

spoelstra sucks!!!! beasly 12 min thas bull.... the kid cant learn in the bench!!!! besides wade he is the only one in the roster who can create his own shot and for others. and spo doesnt run any play for beas ly what a waste of a talent heyy spo if you dont want to play beasley trade him and let him developed into an allstar in another team. riley have to fire spo rush

[JESSE]

SHAME!! SHAME!! SHAME!!! How Dwayne's prime is going to waste! I am a Heat fan and always will be but if I was Wade i would ask for a trade Asap! Riley is making him play on a team with no Center.I think we are the only team in the league where that happens. Matter of fact if i was an Nba player i would refuse to play for Riley he is a snake! Never liked his lame a$$

[black the trucker]

ok there is one fan who sees something that i saw this summer. d-wade is a star who can will his team to greatness, you just dont let that go to waist. trade marion to la clippers for camby,thomas then trade blount to golden state for harrington. then trade beasely to washington for butler. trade banks to ny for curry. you might have to throw in cook, daiwara, livingston. but you have players coming back from injuries that could make up for that lost to make this a complete teams. pat i think you are making a mistake wade can go down as one of the great ones dont let this future plan mess up what is now.keep in touch

[George Lubega]

Pat Riley

I think you need to trade the players who are not performing and bring in some other players. Go to the spanish Olympic team and bring in Felipe their forward to backup Beasley and their coach plus another player from that squad. Their coach can be assistant to Spoelstra and show him how they structured a defense that contained all American stars except Wade and Kobe. Trade other players for Curry (center) and another possible point guard. You are making Wade, Haslem, Marion work too hard, you are wearing them out. They need productive backups just like where the Celtics and Lakers are. Then we can expect some championship. Pat you tend to overwork your quality players in every game and you wear them out! How many minutes has Wade requested in each game? What about Marion, Haslem, Beasley, they get fed up when they see no end in site with their fatigue!