Kyle Lowry will lead a short-handed Miami Heat team into Toronto for his second game in the city against the Raptors since departing on Wednesday night.
All eyes will be on the former Raptors star point guard when the Heat square off with the Raptors.
Key forward Bam Adebayo (left knee contusion) and guard Tyler Herro (left ankle sprain) will be out for the contest. Also out are Udonis Haslem (personal reasons), Victor Oladipo (knee) and Omer Yurtseven (left ankle surgery)
“It’s always great to come home, always good to be here, always great to be in the city," Lowry said at shootaround on Wednesday. "I don’t think it gets any easier. I think you get a little bit more comfortable. Last year was definitely a lot of butterflies. Tonight, I’m sure I’ll get a good ovation but it’s a little bit different because it’s not my first time. It’s a little bit (easier), but it’s never really easy.
“The good thing is we’ve played these guys twice already (this season in Miami). I got to see a lot of staff members. When I come back here, it’s being able to see the elevator workers, the security guys, the familiar faces that don’t travel. That’s the most important thing. And you see the fans you usually see when I played here. That’s the people I look forward to seeing."
The Heat have won three in a row to get back to .500 (7-7), while the Raptors are 8-7.
The teams split a two-game set in Miami earlier this year.
Lowry, 36, is averaging 13.1 points, 5.8 assists and 4.7 rebounds for the Heat this season.
At shootaround, Lowry was asked about the play of former teammate OG Anunoby, who is getting early buzz as a potential defensive player of the year.
"I think OG has always been a great defender. I think he’s been one of the best defenders in the league since he’s (been) in the league. I think he’s just now taking more pride in like 'I want to do it more' because he’s getting the attention, which he should have been getting. But he’s still really good offensively. He’s trying to be that two-way player. He’s always had that ambition to be a great two-way player, but I think now he’s just more comfortable (and) more experienced."
Watch the Heat-Raptors game on Wednesday on Sportsnet ONE or SN NOW at 7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT.
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