Raptors legacies on the line with East final berth at stake

The last time the Toronto Raptors were in this position Vince Carter missed a jumper at the buzzer after attending his UNC graduation. This generation of Raptors can continue to exorcise past demons with another Game 7 win and an Eastern Conference final berth.

At this time of year availability is as big a storyline as ability is. Raptors swingman DeMarre Carroll, who is already dealing with wrist and knee injuries, also hurt his ankle in Game 6 but will play. And although he made the trip to Toronto, Miami Heat centre Hassan Whiteside has already been ruled out with a knee sprain.

Win and the 2016 Raptors add another accomplishment to their growing list of franchise-best marks. Lose and it will be the second Game 7 loss at home in three years, leaving lingering questions about the ceiling of this group as presently constructed.

Raptors key to the game: Bench boost
The hope is the Raptors role players are more comfortable and competent in Game 7 at home than they were on the road in Game 6. The bench has done a great job of carrying Toronto when its stars have struggled but can’t afford to disappear now that the team’s all-star backcourt of Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan have shown signs of busting out of their slump.

Game 6 vs. Heat

Raptors key to the game: Lowry time
Which Lowry will show up? The guy who wasn’t even looking at the basket offensively or the super-competitive version that was jacking 30-foot transition heat-check threes?

Of late, Lowry has returned to form. In his last five playoff games he’s averaged 24.4 points per game on 37.1 per cent shooting from deep. In the first eight playoff games he averaged just 13 points per game, shooting 15 per cent from three. He’ll have to continue his hot streak if Toronto is going to keep playing.

Heat key to the game: Stay small
The Heat have outscored the Raptors 117-89 when playing small. Erik Spoelstra would prefer smaller lineups at the best of times but now he has no choice. The Heat have to rode with small ball and have lived with the results because the alternative of playing the aging front court duo of Amar’e Stoudemire and Udonis Haslem isn’t an ideal scenario.

Miami Game 6 starters
Point Guard – Goran Dragic, 6’3″
Shooting Guard – Dwyane Wade, 6’4″
Small Forward – Joe Johnson, 6’7″
Power Forward – Luol Deng. 6’9″
Centre – Justise Winslow, 6’7″

Raptors players to watch: Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan
Only two teams’ starting backcourts went to the all-star game, the Golden State Warriors’ and the Raptors’. It’s time for Toronto’s all-star duo to make a statement.

Lowry and DeRozan have lower post-season numbers than their regular-season stats in points per game, field-goal percentage, three-point percentage, player efficiency and offensive efficiency. The Raptors front office will have to make a decision on their starting backcourt’s contract status over the next two off-seasons.

For better or worse, the outcome of this game will be tied to this tandem’s Raptors legacy. Even though it’s a small sample size it will be seen as a referendum on what their status should be with the club long term. Their 59 points in Game 6 tied for their most as a duo in the playoffs but it came in a loss. They may have to exceed that total in Game 7.

Heat player to watch: Goran Dragic
Dragic started Game 6 hot with 19 points on 7-for-10 shooting in the first half. From the outset he was involved in everything Miami did offensively, scoring or assisting on 29 of the Heat’s first half points. Dragic finished with 30 points, seven rebounds and four assists in the Heat’s win.

The Slovenian point guard has been able to get in the paint and compromise Toronto’s defence at will as 12 of his 21 field goal attempts were in the key. Dragic’s points in the paint will be key in the elimination game.

Goran Dragic 2016 post-season

Random stat: The Raptors are 0-13 in playoff games that start before 4:00 p.m.

Key stat: The home team has won 99 of 123 NBA Game 7s.