Game Day: Heat @ Raptors

The Miami Heat are coming off of a loss in Indiana where they got dismantled. The Pacers scorched the Heat – shooting 56%.

The Heat are also coming off of a night out in Toronto: A leafs game, and some fun at Real Sports.

You never know, but maybe the Heat partied a bit too hard in White Vegas last night, and the Raptors will be able to take advantage.

While Lebron James is worrying about missing the Super Bowl; Raptor fans are waiting eagerly to see how long this honeymoon period will last. Sure, Rudy Gay’s debut was the most exciting thing to happen to this franchise in years; but it remains to be seen how long this momentum can last.

Will Miami bring the Raptors back down to Earth today and cause the bi-polar Raptor fans to lose their minds? Or will the Raptors continue to roll?

Bargnani comeback

According to Holly MacKenzie:

After going through practice today, there’s a chance Andrea Bargnani could return tomorrow against the Heat.

— Holly MacKenzie (@stackmack) February 2, 2013

He’ll be a game-time decision. If he does play, it will actually be interesting. By now, most Raptor fans seem to have made up their mind about him – and want him gone.

However, I’m going to be interested to see these outcomes:

• How much playing time he gets
• Whether he works his way back into the starting line-up for ‘showcasing’ purposes
• How he plays with the 2nd unit

No matter what, I’m convinced of two things: If he’s going to start, he needs to be shed of the roster – immediately. If he comes off the bench, I say he’s worth keeping. I love the idea of Andrea Bargnani accepting a 6th man position and providing us with bench scoring.

Key match-up

Rudy Gay vs. Lebron James

Key to the game - Crash the boards

This was one of our keys in the last Raptors – Heat match up. Unfortunately, the Raptors failed miserably in that aspect despite Miami being the worst rebounding team in the league. If the Raps’ can keep Miami off the glass and limit 2nd chance points (while getting 2nd chance points of their own); they’ll give themselves a good chance of winning this game.

Rudy Gay – The Second Coming

Personal stance

Please don’t boo Chris Bosh. He’s not significant enough.

Notes

• Bargnani will be a game-time decision
• Pietrus and Kleiza still injured
• Heat have won 9 straight over the Raps
• Chris Bosh is averaging 27.5 points against the Raps at the ACC
• Miami is 11-11 on the road

Tip-off is at 2 pm Eastern.