Tennie Sumague
EBC New York Bureau

(Eagle News) – Toronto Raptors guard Fred VanVleet scored a career-best 36 points, including seven three-pointers to hold off the Miami Heat 107-103 Monday afternoon.

VanVleet’s defense however, is what saved the game for the defending NBA champions. VanVleet deflected an in-bound pass from Jimmy Butler to hold off a late Heat comeback.

“I just think we were switching everything and just kind of being prepared of a slip out, “ VanVleet said. “I saw Jimmy coming back, you know he likes to base cut there, so just try to be another body at the rim. I saw [Goran] Dragic make the cut, so just tried to beat him to the spot and I was able to get my hand on it.”

The defensive stop came in handy as the Raptors blew a 17-point third-quarter lead, only to be up by a bucket with 14 seconds left in the game. The Raptors have struggled against the Heat this season, losing their two previous games prior to Monday’s game.

“I think the last three minutes, we were awesome, defensively,” said Raptors coach, Nick Nurse. “That’s another good sign, another step forward, it’s really good practice for us to be in a close game and have to get some stops.  And really, really good there at the end when you need a stop, kind of a game-winning stop and to create a turnover. So, good, should build some confidence, which makes us a little better hopefully.”

Raptors play Wednesday night against the Orlando Magic

(Eagle News Service)