Game day: Miami Heat at Raptors
AIR CANADA CENTRE
TIPOFF: 7:30 p.m. TV: TSN RADIO: TSN 1050
PROBABLE STARTERS
Toronto: Kyle Lowry, DeMar DeRozan, OG Anunoby, Serge Ibaka, Jonas Valanciunas
Miami: Goran Dragic, Tyler Johnson, Kelly Olynyk, Josh Richardson, Hassan Whiteside
KEY MATCHUP
Valanciunas v. Whiteside
Hassan Whiteside has often played well against Toronto, averaging 14 points, 13 rebounds and 3.3 blocks. That promises to be a lot to handle for Jonas Valanciunas, who has averaged 11 points and eight rebounds in 15 previous meetings with the Heat. The Raptors centre was 8-for-9 from the field against the Bucks on Friday.
NEED TO KNOW
DeMar DeRozan was named Eastern Conference player of the week Mon- day after averaging a league-best 35.7 points over a three-game stretch, including a franchise-record 52 points against Milwaukee on New Year’s Day. It was the third weekly honour for DeRozan this season … Toronto coach Dwane Casey said Monday that the 28-year-old DeRozan’s best years are likely ahead of him. “He’s going to have a long, long career. I just see him transforming his game – probably more three-point shots as he gets older.” … The Heat, who missed the playoffs last season, are in the midst of a four-game winning streak that has run their record to 22-17.
UP NEXT
Thursday, vs. Cleveland, 8 p.m. Dave Feschuk