Heat close out season with win over Raptors

The Miami Heat finished their first season on a high note, easily defeating the Toronto Raptors 97-79. The Heat's "big three" took the game off, since they have already secured the second seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs. Instead, the Heat gave their role players one more chance to find their rhythm before the postseason.

The Heat started out strong against the Raptors, finishing the first quarter with a nine-point lead. The Raptors rallied back in the second quarter, catching up with the Heat and taking a one point lead into halftime. Both teams would go back and forth before the Heat started pulling away in the final quarter.

Heat point guard Eddie House had no problems stepping in for the "big three". House was on fire against the Raptors, making 7 of his 13 three pointers during the game. House finished the game with a career high, 35 points, leading the Heat to the victory.

Juwan Howard was also productive for the Heat, finishing the game with 18 points, and 6 rebounds. Other role players on the Heat roster pitched in as well, with every player putting points on the board. On the defensive end, they were equally impressive, holding the Toronto Raptors to only 43.8 percent field goal shooting in the absence of their main superstars.

Next up for the Heat are the Philadelphia 76ers, on April 16. When the Heat meet up with the Sixers at the American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida, it will be the team's first playoff game since signing LeBron James and Chris Bosh. The atmosphere will be electric, with Heat fans cramped into the Arena. The Heat have had no problems against the Sixers all season, winning all of their three encounters. The Heat can be confident going into the first round of the playoffs, against a team that hasn't been able to defeat the new Miami Heat.

By the time they're done with the Sixers, Heat forward Udonis Haslem should be getting ready to return to the team's roster, right in time to help them against the stronger teams in the east.

David is a Miami Heat fan that has followed the team for 15 years.

Sources:

Associated Press," Heat don't need Big Three to handle Raptors in regular-season finale "