The former Raptor, who was thrilled with a moving video before the game and long applause in his first game at Scotiabank Arena in more than two years, had 16 points and 10 assists to lead the No. 1 team in the Eastern Conference. in a 114-109 victory over Toronto. Fred VanVleet had 29 points, including four three-pointers to break Lowry’s three-point record for a season for the Raptors (45-33), who saw their winning streak end in five games. Pascal Shiakam added 29 points, while Scotty Barnes and Gary Trent Jr. scored 19 points each. Max Strauss beat Miami (51-28) by 23 points. Raptors coach Nick Ners joked before the game that he hoped his team would ruin Lowry’s night. “We love him, there is no doubt about it. But you know what? My job now is to kick his ass,” Ners said. “We will see what will happen”. The first half went this way as Toronto had a 13-point lead, but the Heat came back with a 26-13 run in the third quarter and led 79-78 to start the fourth. CLOCKS Lowry receives applause in exchange for Toronto:

The Raptors pay tribute to Kyle Lowry on his return to Toronto

A video of the highlights of Lowry’s Raptors career was shown before his fans flooded him with love in Toronto. 3:47
Thaddeus Young threw Trent Jr., whose three-pointer was scored by Toronto 91-87. But Lowry’s three-pointer in front of the Raptors’ bench sparked a 17-7 Heat streak that put the visitors ahead seven to 2:57 to play. Trent Jr. scored five consecutive points to close the gap to four with 15.2 seconds left, but it was too late for the Raptors, who lost just three times in 14 games. On the day Mayor John Tory declared “Kyle Lowry Day” in Toronto, Lowry vowed not to cry during the pre-race celebrations. “I know if I’m crying, DeMar [DeRozan] he will make fun of me and go viral “, Lowry joked about his friend and former teammate. After the video tribute that lasted his career to the Raptors, the 36-year-old guard met the well-known: “From North Philly, to your city. Kyle Luh-luh-luh-luh-Lowry!” Shocked by the long applause, but with dry eyes as promised, Lowry raised his hands in gratitude in the middle of the pitch, with Carter and Cameron’s sons by his side. The Miami Heat’s guard, Kyle Lowry, recognizes the crowd before Sunday night’s game with the Raptors at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto. (Nathan Denette / The Canadian Press)
Lowry became the cornerstone of the Raptors franchise through his nine seasons in Toronto, instilling a miserable, hard-working approach to which the team led to the historic 2019 NBA Championship. He is the leader in assists (4,277), steals (873), three-pointers (1,518) and triple-doubles (16). VanVleet needed three three-pointers to break Lowry’s 238 record. He got it in the first half and now he has 240. Lowry traded in Miami last summer for Precious Achiuwa and Goran Dragic in a friendly, saying: “It was the right time. It was a good gradual departure, of course.” Arriving from Chicago early Sunday morning, where the Heat lost 127-109 to DeRozan and the Bulls, Lowry said it was an emotional drive along Toronto’s Gardiner Expressway beyond known landmarks. such as BMO Field, CN Tower and Team Tower. training at the OVO Sports Center.

“I missed everything in the city”

“It’s the house, the place I’ve been in for a long, long time. So it was nice,” said Lowry, who posted a black square with two Canadian flags and one word: “Home” on his Instagram on Sunday. “I missed everything about the city, the country, the organization,” he said. “There is a lot to lose.” Lowry arrived at the pre-match press conference wearing an elegant blue suit and the championship jumbo jumper ring on his right ring. “Something special,” he said, twisting the ring with his left hand. “It’s special to me and to the city and the country and the organization, so why not wear it?” Lowry was originally scheduled to play for Scotiabank on February 1. This game fell during two weeks that took off for personal reasons. In addition, the restrictions on COVID-19 meant that there were no fans in the building that night. The magnitude of Sunday’s fight exceeded Lowry’s return. With just four games left in the regular season, the Raptors are vying for a place in the top six in the Eastern Conference that would mean avoiding the play-off tournament. Miami is the top team in the East. Heat coach Erik Spoelstra missed Sunday’s game due to COVID-19 health and safety protocols. Lowry scored Miami’s first point with three free throws and then fed Markief Morris for a layup. But the Raptors dominated in the fourth and went up 13 when Achiuwa drove into the hoop late in the frame. Toronto led 34-28 to start the second. The Heat reached four in the second quarter, but the Raptors finished the frame with an 8-2 streak for a 55-45 lead at halftime break. The Raptors host the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday, Philadelphia on Thursday and Houston on Friday.