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Heat falls to Raptors to drop back to .500, as Jimmy Butler exits early. Takeaways and details

The Miami Heat suffered a tough 112-104 loss to the Toronto Raptors, dropping their record back to .500 at 8-8. The game saw Jimmy Butler exit early due to a sore right knee, which significantly impacted Miami’s performance, especially in the second half. Butler, who had been playing at an elite level this season, finished with just 7 points in 21 minutes of action before being ruled out for the remainder of the game.

Without Butler, the Heat struggled to find offensive rhythm. Bam Adebayo stepped up with 22 points and 11 rebounds, while Tyler Herro added 18 points, but their efforts were not enough to overcome Toronto’s balanced attack. The Raptors were led by Pascal Siakam, who had a standout performance with 30 points and 9 rebounds, and Fred VanVleet contributed 19 points and 7 assists. Toronto’s defense also played a key role, limiting Miami’s outside shooting and forcing several turnovers.

The Heat’s offense, which has been inconsistent this season, became even more erratic without their star player. Miami shot just 40% from the field and 31% from three-point range. While Adebayo and Herro tried to keep the game close, Toronto’s depth proved to be the difference, with contributions from multiple players in key moments.

The loss highlights the Heat’s ongoing struggles with injuries and their reliance on Butler’s presence. Miami will need to regroup quickly, with their next matchup against a tough opponent on the horizon. The status of Butler’s knee will be closely monitored, as his health is crucial for the team’s success moving forward.