Los Angeles (AFP) – The Miami Heat defeated the Toronto Raptors 102-96 in overtime to claim a 1-0 lead in their best-of-seven Eastern Conference semi-final playoff series.
A stunning buzzer-beating three-pointer from near halfway by Toronto star Kyle Lowry had given the Raptors a lifeline at 90-90 to force overtime.
But in overtime Miami raised their game to break the Raptors resistance, quickly rattling off eight unanswered points to silence the crowd and take a 98-90 lead.
Toronto were given a glimmer of hope trailing at 99-96 but DeMar DeRozan was unable to get a shot off and Miami Heat star Dwyane Wade snaffled to score a two-pointer and put the game out of reach.
Game two takes place on Thursday.
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