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.
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