The Toronto Raptors travel to Miami to wrap up their 2023-24 season against the Heat.
Toronto heads into Friday’s game looking to play spoiler against a Heat team that still has a lot to play for.
However, the Raptors have something to play for as well. If the Raptors lose one more game, they will officially lock up the sixth-worst record in the NBA. This would give the Raptors a 46 percent chance of keeping their 2024 first-round pick which is top-6 protected.
Toronto does not seem like they are throwing in the towel just yet though. RJ Barrett and Kelly Olynyk will both return to the court Friday night, as the two did not play against the Nets.
Only Gary Trent Jr. and Bruce Brown are listed as questionable for Toronto. Brown is dealing with right knee inflammation and Trent Jr. is dealing with back spasms. Chris Boucher, DJ Carton, and Jontay Porter all remain out as well.
Scottie Barnes will not play in this one after it seemed like he was close to returning. Both he and Jakob Poeltl will likely be out for the Raptors final game as well. The Raptors are hoping that both players will be back at full strength next season.
Miami will come into this game generally healthy. The Heat will just be without Duncan Robinson and Josh Richardson.
This is an important game for Miami as they sit just a game back of the Philadelphia 76ers for the 7th seed in the East and two games back of the Indiana Pacers and Orlando Magic for the 5th and 6th seeds in the conference.
As mentioned the Raptors just need one more loss to clinch the sixth-worst record in the league.
Toronto Raptors (25-55) vs. Miami Heat (44-36)
8:00 p.m. EST, Friday, April 12, 2024
Kaseya Center, Miami, Florida
TV: TSN
Projected Raptors Starting Lineup:
PG: Immanuel Quickley
SG: Gradey Dick
SF: RJ Barrett
PF: Ochai Agbaji
C: Kelly Olynyk
Key Reserves: Javon Freeman-Liberty, Jordan Nwora, Malik Williams
Projected Heat Starting Lineup:
PG: Tyler Herro
SG: Caleb Martin
SF: Jimmy Butler
PF: Nikola Jovic
C: Bam Adebayo
Key Reserves: Haywood Highsmith, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kevin Love
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