NBA Playoffs: DeMarre Carroll stars as Raptors outlast Heat in OT to level series
The Toronto Raptors held off the Miami Heat 96-92 in overtime as they levelled their NBA Eastern Conference semi-final on Thursday.
Overtime decided game one in Toronto on Tuesday, with the Heat winning by six points that time around.
And OT was needed again at Air Canada Centre two days later, with the Raptors responding to level the second-round play-off series at 1-1.
Miami’s Goran Dragic forced an additional period when he nailed a three-pointer with 10 seconds remaining, after Kyle Lowry’s jump shot had put the Raptors three points clear just seconds earlier.
But that was as good as it got for the Heat, who were outscored 10-6 in OT, with Cory Joseph sealing Toronto’s win with a pair of free throws.
DeMarre Carroll’s 21 points led the Raptors, as Jonas Valanciunas contributed 15 points and 12 rebounds in a double-double performance.
Raptors team-mates DeMar DeRozan (20) and Lowry (18) also had double-digit points.
Dragic posted 20 points, while Dwyane Wade and Joe Johnson added 17 points apiece.
