Raptors look for adjustments to cool down Heat

GAME DAY: MIAMI AT TORONTO, GAME 5, 4 P.M.

TORONTO — In the wake of a painful overtime loss in Miami, Raptors coach Dwane Casey says he’s sleeping like a baby — “waking up and crying.”

The quip drew the laughter he intended. In reality, Casey says it’s all about maintaining an even keel going into Game 5 of the Eastern Conference semifinal today against the Heat.

The best-of-seven series is knotted at two games apiece after the Heat’s 94-87 overtime victory Monday in Miami.

“Everybody’s upset that we lost, which they should be. But nobody’s pushed the panic button,” Casey told reporters Tuesday at the team’s training centre. “Because it’s such a competitive series.”

Casey calls it a “nip-and-tuck” series, three of the four games have gone to OT with Miami leading Toronto in total points 379-374.

Watching from the comfort of their homes are the Cleveland Cavaliers, who swept the Atlanta Hawks on Sunday. They will be well rested come the Eastern final.

Toronto’s all-star backcourt continues to struggle. Kyle Lowry, who fouled out with 1:58 remaining, and DeMar DeRozan, nursing an injured thumb, shot a combined 6-for-28 on Monday night.

Lowry, who had a breakout night in Game 3, is averaging 15 points a game in the playoffs on 33.1 per cent shooting. DeRozan is averaging 17.7 points on 33.0 per cent shooting. The regular season numbers for Lowry were 21.2 points and 42.7 per cent shooting and for DeRozan 23.5 points and 44.6 per cent shooting.

“The guys, they’re not shooting well ... We know about it, Miami knows about it,” Casey said. “We’re trying to do things to get around it and trying to create more offence with those guys struggling the way they are.

“But again they’re going to be our guys. Because at some point they’re going to get their rhythm, their shot — somebody else is going to step up and they may be more of a decoy — but it’s not like we’re just going to bench Kyle and DeMar and go away from them. They’re our guys. We believe in them. They’re our two all-stars and sooner or later they’re going to come through or be a part of what we’re trying to do.”

DeRozan did sit out all but 1:38 of the final quarter Monday, however. Casey, who has said his team will “ride or die” with the two all-stars, noted DeRozan’s shooting was off before he jammed his thumb in Game 1 of the series. “A double whammy,” he said.

Even more so given that other teams are whacking the thumb every chance they get.

Both teams will be without their starting centres today for the second straight game. Coach Erik Spoelstra said Hassan Whiteside is staying in Miami for rest and therapy on his injured knee.

Toronto big man Jonas Valanciunas (ankle) has been ruled out of the series.