Toronto Raptors Snap Out of Offensive Funk with Statement Win Over Miami
After a string of games where the offense looked stuck in neutral, the Toronto Raptors finally found their rhythm-and it came with a mix of savvy playmaking, gritty defense, and a whole lot of energy from some unexpected places. Against a Miami Heat team that thrives on discipline and toughness, the Raptors answered with a performance that felt like a breath of fresh air.
Let’s break down the key performances that helped Toronto get back on track.
Sandro Mamukelashvili - 27 MIN, 14 PTS, 6 REB, 7 AST, 1 STL, 5-9 FG, 4-6 3PT
Mamukelashvili was everywhere tonight-on the perimeter, in the short roll, and especially in the pick-and-pop game. Toronto leaned on him heavily as a screener, and he delivered.
Often ghosting the screen and popping out beyond the arc, Mamu gave Miami’s defense fits. He knocked down four triples and showed off his high-level decision-making as a live dribble passer.
Whether it was a quick swing or a skip pass to the weak side, Mamu looked comfortable orchestrating offense and made the most of his minutes.
Scottie Barnes - 36 MIN, 27 PTS, 8 REB, 4 AST, 10-14 FG, 7-8 FT
This was one of those games where Scottie Barnes reminded everyone why he’s the Raptors’ engine. He was dominant in the paint, bullying smaller defenders, finishing through contact, and running the floor hard in transition.
Miami tried to put undersized players on him, and Barnes made them pay-time and again. He even flashed a confident mid-range jumper, which only adds to the growing list of ways he can beat you.
This was a complete performance from the third-year forward.
Immanuel Quickley - 35 MIN, 18 PTS, 5 REB, 7 AST, 1 STL, 5-15 FG, 1-8 3PT, 7-7 FT
Quickley’s night was a mixed bag. He had some sharp reads, including a beautiful lob to Scottie out of the pick-and-roll, and he showed patience on a few possessions where he manipulated the defense with pace.
But his finishing around the rim was inconsistent, and his three-point shot just wasn’t falling. Still, he got to the line and made all seven of his free throws, and his ability to keep the offense moving was valuable-even if the efficiency wasn’t there.
Brandon Ingram - 29 MIN, 12 PTS, 6 REB, 2 AST, 5-14 FG, 2-6 3PT
Ingram never quite found his rhythm in this one. He had some clean looks, but the shots just didn’t drop.
There was a brief stretch in the second half where it looked like he might heat up, but the momentum didn’t stick. A tough outing for a player who’s usually more reliable in the mid-range and isolation game.
Ochai Agbaji - 21 MIN, 5 PTS, 5 REB, 1 AST, 2-6 FG, 1-3 3PT
Agbaji’s box score won’t jump out at you, but his defensive work was outstanding. He was locked in on the perimeter, showing excellent timing on help rotations and staying glued to his man on the ball.
His strength and patience stood out, especially against Miami’s guards. This was one of his better defensive showings of the season.
Gradey Dick - 12 MIN, 2 PTS, 1 REB, 1 AST, 2 STL, 0-4 FG, 0-3 3PT
It was a frustrating night for Dick. He made some smart plays-jumping passing lanes, attacking closeouts-but couldn’t convert them into positive outcomes.
He had a couple of clean looks from deep that rimmed out and missed a layup after a strong drive. The effort was there, but the execution just didn’t follow.
Jamal Shead - 19 MIN, 8 PTS, 2 REB, 4 AST, 1 STL, 3-6 FG, 2-3 3PT
Shead brought his usual burst off the bench. He attacked the pick-and-roll with pace, though he often settled for kicking it back out rather than probing deeper.
Defensively, he struggled at times-getting beat off the dribble when he played too high on the ball. Still, he knocked down two of his three triples and showed flashes of live-dribble playmaking that could become more consistent with time.
Ja’Kobe Walter - 20 MIN, 4 PTS, 3 REB, 2 AST, 2 STL, 2-5 FG
Walter was a defensive spark plug. His active hands disrupted Miami’s offensive flow, and he turned those stops into transition opportunities. He didn’t have a huge scoring night, but his presence helped energize Toronto’s second unit and keep the tempo high.
Jamison Battle - 15 MIN, 11 PTS, 2 REB, 1 AST, 2 STL, 4-4 FG, 3-3 3PT
Battle came in and did exactly what you want from a bench shooter-he stayed ready and made Miami pay for leaving him open. He knocked down a corner three, cut backdoor for a dunk, and then drilled two more triples late in the game. He punished every defensive lapse and gave Toronto a much-needed scoring punch off the bench.
Collin Murray-Boyles - 25 MIN, 11 PTS, 12 REB (9 OFF), 3 STL, 1 BLK, 5-9 FG
This was a breakout performance from Murray-Boyles. He brought energy, physicality, and a relentless motor that changed the tone of the game.
He grabbed a career-high nine offensive rebounds-yes, nine-and was a force around the rim. Whether it was battling for position, diving for loose balls, or protecting the paint, CMB made his presence felt in every corner of the floor.
He’s making a strong case for more minutes moving forward.
Coach Darko Rajaković - A Grade
Rajaković pushed the right buttons in this one. He recognized the value of Murray-Boyles’ size and physicality against a tough Miami frontcourt and gave him the extended run he earned.
His use of Mamukelashvili as a ghost screener opened up spacing and created clean looks for shooters. The rotations were sharp, the adjustments timely, and the team looked far more cohesive on both ends.
What We Saw
- Murray-Boyles’ Physical Dominance: His strength and timing on the glass were game-changing. He didn’t just grab rebounds-he created second-chance possessions that demoralized Miami’s defense.
- Mamu’s Smart Reads: Whether popping out for threes or making the next pass, Mamukelashvili was a connector all night. His basketball IQ was on full display.
- A Return to Shot-Making: After a rough stretch offensively, Toronto finally found their shooting touch. The ball movement was crisp, the spacing was better, and guys were stepping into shots with confidence.
The Bigger Picture
This wasn’t just a win-it was a reminder of what this Raptors team can look like when things click. They entered the night needing a spark, and they got it from a combination of steady veterans and hungry young players. If this group can build on the energy and execution they showed tonight, the path back to the playoff picture suddenly doesn’t seem so far-fetched.
Tonight was about more than just numbers-it was about identity. And for the first time in a while, Toronto looked like a team that knew exactly who it wanted to be.