Raptors vs. Heat: Game 3 Score and Twitter Reaction from 2016 NBA Playoffs

In a series between two evenly matched teams, the margin for error is nonexistent. Every missed layup, skipped defensive rotation, ugly attempt early in the shot clock—it’s all magnified exponentially. Sometimes, all it takes is one big play to fundamentally alter the trajectory of a series.

Kyle Lowry was full of them Saturday.  

The Toronto Raptors guard scored 29 second-half points, including 14 in the fourth quarter, to lead the charge on a 95-91 victory over the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena in Game 3. Toronto leads the best-of-seven semifinals matchup 2-1 and has recaptured home-court advantage.

For most of the homestretch, Lowry and Dwyane Wade went blow-for-blow like a pair of heavyweight hitters. The All-Stars were responsible for five of the game’s final six field goals, with Lowry’s Raptors fending off a comeback effort from Wade’s Heat.

On the biggest possession of the series, it was perhaps Wade’s decision to pass that will haunt him. Driving to the hole down three points, Wade saw the entire Raptors defense collapse around him and kicked it out to a wide-open Joe Johnson. A seven-time All-Star, Johnson clanged an ugly attempt off the right rim to all but seal the win for Toronto.

Johnson’s penchant for early playoff exits has led to some interesting (tongue-in-cheek) theories:

Waiting for Joe Johnson to miss another big shot and accidentally show how he really feels and celebrate.

— OMG, LaJethro (@LaJethroJenkins) May 7, 2016

Johnson is 0-of-10 from deep in a series that has increasingly become Wade vs. The North. Wade set a season high in points, knocking down 13 of his 25 shots in a 38-point outing. After hitting seven threes all regular season, Wade’s knocked down six in this series and eight in the postseason …

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