VanVleet, Raptors douse Heat
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Florida — In the dying seconds Monday, Jimmy Butler bounced a pass intended for a basket-bound Goran Dragic for what would have been the game-tying two points.
Instead, Fred VanVleet lunged with water-bug speed to deflect the ball, securing the win for Toronto.
The Raptors backup guard known affectionately as “Steady Freddy” had a career-high 36 points and made seven three-pointers in Toronto’s 107-103 victory over the Miami Heat on Monday.
But his defensive game was equally as impressive.
“What makes [his defence] unique is he doesn’t look very fast out there, right? He doesn’t move up and down the court that fast, but his lateral side-to-side speed and the way he can move his feet is incredible, and it’s deceiving,” coach Nick Nurse said.
“You’re seeing him bring the ball up the floor, running up the floor and you think ‘Well, he’s not that athletic or fast or quick or anything,’ but his side-to-side athleticism is outstanding. . . He’s just got great IQ, he anticipates, he’s a step ahead sometimes.”
Pascal Siakam added 22 points, while Serge Ibaka had 15 and Kyle Lowry chipped in with 14 points and eight rebounds as the Raptors (48-18) stretched their win streak to six games, and improved to 2-0 in the NBA’s restart after the COVID-19 hiatus.
Dragic had 25 points to top the Heat (42-25). Kelly Olynyk of Kamloops had 17 points, two nights after a big game against Denver that saw him score 20 points in the fourth quarter of a 125-105 win.