Apr 14, 2008 10:37 pm US/Eastern
Raptors Send Heat To Another Loss
Heat One Loss Away From Setting Franchise Futility
TORONTO, CANADA (AP) ―
Rasho Nesterovic scored 20 points, Chris Bosh had 15 and the Toronto Raptors beat the Miami Heat 91-75 on Monday night.
Anthony Parker had 13 and Jason Kapono scored seven of his 11 points in the fourth quarter as the Raptors locked up the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference. Cleveland's victory over Philadelphia guaranteed Toronto a first-round matchup with Orlando.
Nesterovic was 10-for-19 from the field, scoring double figures for the 17th consecutive game, and grabbed seven rebounds.
Daequan Cook had 22 and Chris Quinn added 14 for the Heat, who lost for the 21st time in their past 24 games. Miami must beat Atlanta at home Wednesday to avoid the worst record in franchise history. The Heat went 15-67 in their inaugural 1988-89 season.
Bosh stood alone at center court and delivered a brief message to the crowd between player introductions and the opening tip.
"We need your support in the playoffs, so keep cheering," Bosh said.
Last week, Bosh admonished Toronto fans for being too quiet during an April 9 home win over Milwaukee, then posted a video on YouTube calling for more noise at the Air Canada Centre.
But there was little for Toronto fans to cheer about early on in the last home game of the regular season. Cook went 3-for-4 from 3-point range in the first and Miami made five from beyond the arc to open a 28-25 lead after 12 minutes.
Five Toronto turnovers and six points off the bench from Earl Barron helped Miami take a 47-43 lead at the half.
Raptors coach Sam Mitchell called timeout after Parker's turnover led to a layup by Stephane Lasme, giving the Heat a 51-43 lead at 11:12 of the third.
Toronto responded with a 10-2 lead over the next 4 minutes, tying the game at 53, then took a 60-59 lead -- their first since the opening quarter -- on Parker's 3 with 4:27 left in the period.
Parker and Nesterovic each had six in the third as Toronto took a 70-64 lead into the final quarter. Notes: Toronto completed the first series sweep over Miami in its 13-year history. ... Jose Calderon had 11 assists. ... Toronto finished 25-16 at home.
(© 2008 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
