The Toronto Raptors will close out their 2023-24 season against the Miami Heat.
Toronto has already clinched the sixth-worst record in the NBA so this is essentially a meaningless game for them. However, the Heat have a lot to play for as they are looking to get out of the Play-In Tournament.
Miami could finish as high as the 5th seed going into the playoff but they are going to need a lot of outside help.
The Raptors will be without RJ Barrett (knee), Immanuel Quickley (adductor strain), Mouhamadou Gueye (thumb), Scottie Barnes (hand), Jakob Poeltl (finger), Chris Boucher (knee), D.J. Carton (ankle) and Jontay Porter (gambling investigation).
The Heat will be without Duncan Robinson (back), Josh Richardson (shoulder) and Terry Rozier (neck).
The Heat and Raptors will meet for the fourth and final matchup this regular season. This will be the second consecutive matchup between the two teams after Miami recorded a 125-103 victory on April 12. Miami holds a 2-1 series lead. The Heat are 61-42 all-time versus the Raptors during the
regular season, including 36-17 in home games and 25-25 in road games.
With Quickley and Barrett out, this will present a great opportunity for Gradey Dick to finish his rookie campaign strong.
Also, this could be the last game of Gary Trent Jr.’s Raptors tenure as he is an unrestricted free agent this summer along with Jordan Nwora and Garrett Temple.
The Raptors will look to finish what has been a disappointing season with a victory and play the ultimate spoiler against a Heat team that has a lot at stake.
Toronto Raptors (25-56) vs. Miami Heat (45-36)
1:00 p.m. EST, Friday, April 14, 2024
Kaseya Center, Miami, Florida
TV: Sportsnet
Projected Raptors Starting Lineup:
PG: Bruce Brown
SG: Gary Trent Jr.
SF: Gradey Dick
PF: Ochai Agbaji
C: Kelly Olynyk
Key Reserves: Garrett Temple, Javon Freeman-Liberty, 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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