Written by Liam-Boylan-Pett at SB Nation.com
For the first time in franchise history, the Toronto Raptors are heading to the Eastern Conference Finals. The Raptors beat the Miami Heat, 116-89, behind a masterful performance from Kyle Lowry in Game 7 of their second round series on Sunday.
Lowry had 35 points, nine assists, seven rebounds and four steals to lead the way for the Raptors, who got a huge boost from Bismack Biyombo’s 17 points and 16 rebounds as the Raptors dominated the boards. Dwyane Wade and Goran Dragic had 16 points apiece in the loss.
There won’t be much time to celebrate in Toronto; the Raptors will take on theCleveland Cavaliers in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals on Tuesday.
The Raptors led 25-24 after one quarter as both teams continued to struggle from the field. DeRozan took 12 of the 19 Raptors shots, making five as he scored 11 to keep the Raptors in it. The Heat lost Wade to foul trouble midway through the quarter but managed to stay in the game even with him on the bench, outscoring the Raptors 13-9 while he sat.
Lowry played well in the second, scoring 12 points as the Raptors took a 53-47 lead into the half. The Raptors shot only 41.5 percent from the field but got to the free throw line 21 times to hold the lead. Wade and Dragic led a balanced attack for the Heat, who were able to stay close despite the foul trouble.
The Raptors came out firing in the third quarter, with Lowry and Biyombo leading a 15-4 run that gave the Raptors a 17-point lead midway through the third. The Heat wouldn’t wilt, though, and chipped away at the deficit to go into the fourth down 86-78.
The Heat needed to come out firing in the fourth, but instead the Raptors unloaded. They opened the quarter on a 16-4 run to take a 20-point lead, and they never looked back en route to a 27-point win.
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