NBA Playoffs 2016: Previewing Top Storylines for Game 7 of Raptors vs. Heat
The final spot in the NBA's conference finals is up for grabs when the Miami Heat visit the Toronto Raptors Sunday for a crucial Game 7 showdown.
Miami staved off Game 6 elimination for the second time this postseason after downing Toronto 103-91 at home Friday. Both teams are 2-1 at home during this series, but can the Raptors win one more in front of their fans, or will the Heat play for the Eastern Conference title for the fifth time in the last six seasons?
Friday's game was the first in this series not to be decided by single digits, so Game 7 figures to be an exciting and close affair. Let's take a look at the television schedule and some of Sunday's top storylines.
| Date | Time | Network | Live Stream |
| Sunday, May 15 | 3:30 p.m. ET | ABC | NBA.com |
Can Toronto Shed Its Playoff Demons?
The Toronto Raptors are a franchise mired in postseason disappointment.
The team won its second playoff series ever by taking down Indiana in the first round, which means Toronto has never advanced past the second round. This ESPN Stats & Info nugget offers a telling explanation:
Making matters worse are the struggles of Toronto's stars DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry.
DeRozan had no issues scoring in the regular season with 23.5 points per game on 44.6 percent shooting, including 33.8 percent on his threes. The touch is fading this postseason as his scoring averages are down to 19.4 points a game with abysmal shooting percentages of 34.9 percent on field goals and 19 percent from three. He is also taking almost three shots more per game in the playoffs.
Lowry is not faring much better. His scoring averages, 21.2 points per game to 17.4, and shooting rate, 42.7 percent to 34.9 percent on field goals, have significantly plummeted in the postseason. However, his assist numbers are pretty much the same.
Its supporting cast has helped to this point, but Toronto will not win unless its stars pick up their games.
Miami is 6-3 in Game 7s, per NBA History, and also has the veteran leadership of Dwyane Wade at its disposal. This makes it difficult for an unproven Toronto team, but the Raptors are 5-2 at home this postseason, so look for them to try to feed off the home crowd's energy.
Which Goran Dragic Shows Up?
Wade is already a proven champion who is sure to put in a strong effort Sunday, but what about his backcourt mate Goran Dragic?
Dragic was solid in Games 1 and 2, shooting over 50 percent and putting up 20 or more points in both occasions. From Games 3 to 5, the 30-year-old was ineffective as he put up 15 points or less in all three contests.
He came alive in Game 6 with 30 points, seven rebounds and four assists. Dragic changed his mentality, which saved the Heat from elimination.
"I was just aggressive," Dragic said, per CBS Sports' James Herbert. "I don't want to go back to Europe."
With Hassan Whiteside again out for Game 7, Miami needs Dragic to be just as assertive in order to advance Sunday.
Consistency is obviously key here. If Dragic can bring his Game 6 performance every night, Miami will be very hard to beat. It seems Dragic discovered that he can penetrate Toronto's defense at will, so look for him to carry that momentum into Sunday.
Miami to Play Small Again
Injuries to Whiteside and Toronto's Jonas Valanciunas shifted the focus this series to perimeter play.
Miami deployed a new strategy in Game 6 that fared well. It played rookie forward Justise Winslow, who stands at 6'7", at center. The Duke product was able to help space the floor offensively and added 12 points.
Dragic credited Winslow with the Heat's solid Game 6 play, per the Miami Herald's Ethan J. Skolnick:
Winslow is expected to start in the middle again for Miami in Game 7, according to the Associated Press' Tim Reynolds:
This is a good move for the Heat. The small lineup operates similarly to Golden State when Draymond Green is the center. It allows the team to have five shooters on the floor, and with Toronto having no serious threat inside, it is not a defensive liability.
The Heat played their best game of the series with their small lineup. Expect Toronto to counter by giving speedy guards Terrence Ross and Norman Powell more minutes to try to space the floor as well.
However, unless Lowry and DeRozan start consistently hitting shots, Miami will still be able to control the game. Look for the Heat to pull out a road victory and meet up with the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Finals.
All statistics courtesy of ESPN.com.
