Jimmy Butler and Heat add to Raptors’ road woes

Jimmy Butler scored a game-high 26 points as the host Miami Heat defeated the Toronto Raptors 121-111 in an NBA Cup game on Friday night.

The Heat (2:2) and Raptors (0:3) are no longer in the race for the NBA Cup.

Overall, Miami (9-8) matched its season high by a game over .500. Toronto lost 1:11 on the road, its worst result in the NBA.

Butler missed the fourth quarter of Miami’s previous game with a back injury, but made 8 of 14 field goal attempts, including 2 of 4 from 3-point range.

For Miami, Bam Adebayo finished the game with a triple-double (14 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists) and Tyler Herro contributed 23 points.

South Florida native Scottie Barnes recorded a triple-double with 24 points, 10 rebounds and 10 rebounds for Toronto.

Also for the Raptors, RJ Barrett scored 25 points, seven assists and six rebounds, and Jakob Poeltl had 24 points and 10 rebounds.

The first quarter was tough for both teams as Toronto led 21-20 despite eight turnovers. Miami only had one turnover but shot 2 of 17 from beyond the 3-point arc.

Both teams heated up in the second quarter as Toronto shot 75 percent and had just three turnovers and Miami shot 58.3 percent, including 5 of 10 on 3-pointers.

Toronto led 61-58 at halftime, as there were six lead changes and six ties in the first half. Barnes led the Raptors with 15 first-half points while Butler scored 13 for Miami.

In the third quarter, Miami stormed out to a 77-67 lead, but Toronto responded with a 12-0 run for a 79-77 lead. Miami had its own answer, scoring 11 straight points for an 88-79 lead.

Miami entered the fourth round with a 96-84 lead and held on from there.

In the game, the Heat made 21 of 54 3-point attempts (38.9 percent) and outscored Toronto 63-33 in 3-point baskets made.

–Field level media