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The Toronto Raptors and the Miami Heat are set to play the sixth game of their semi-final series, which is now the final standing semi-final series. Join The Roar for live scores from the match, starting from 10am AEST.
It hasn’t been the most exhilarating series you’ve ever laid your eyes on however with games coming down to the wire and no team seemingly able to take advantage of the matchups you’re guaranteed a full 48-minute encounter.
So far through five games we’ve seen three games go into overtime and the biggest margin of victory being only eight points.
Injuries have unfortunately marred the series and it seems that the longer this encounter goes the more players we lose. In Game 4 we saw the big men fall, Jonas Valanciunas and Hassan Whiteside, and then in Game 5 it was the wing players turn to pick up injuries, Demarre Carroll and Luol Deng.
With the series heading back to South Beach and Miami needing to win to ensure a Game 7, they’ll be forced to do so without their dominant man in the middle as Whiteside has officially been ruled out and unfortunately the news doesn’t get much better as Luol Deng is still listed as questionable.
The news on the other side of the court isn’t ideal as Valanciunas is still out, however, Carroll is confident he’ll be taking the floor for the Raptors.
In Game 5 we finally saw the Raptors backcourt come to the party for the first time and with the Heat sticking to their small ball line-ups, the Raptors big men in Bismack Biyombo and Patrick Patterson controlled the paint and took advantage on the other end.
With no Whiteside for the Heat you figure Game 6 will be much of the same, Miami will stick to their small ball line-ups whereas the Raptors will look to take advantage with their big men working down low.
The keys to victory for Toronto hinge squarely on the shoulders of the backcourt and whether or not they can produce another performance their All Star status should bring. If Miami can slow them down or get them out of rhythm then they’ll be knocking down the door and forcing a Game 7.
Prediction
Luol Deng will play, he won’t miss this game. Even without Whiteside I think in front of their home crowd and coupled with Toronto’s inability to finish teams off, Miami will take this game and force a Game 7 back in Toronto.
Miami by 6
Be sure to join The Roar for live scores of this match from 10am (AEST) and don’t forget to add your own comments in the section below.
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