Toronto Raptors vs Miami Heat Mar.6/09

Not even the added incentive of beating Shawn Marion's former team could help the Toronto Raptors put the brakes on a three-game winless skid.

Dwyane Wade had 42 points as the visiting Miami Heat had five players score in double figures to send the slumping Raptors (23-40) their fourth consecutive loss with a 108-102 victory at the Air Canada Centre on Friday night.

Wade, who was 17-of-23 from the floor, became the first player to have two 40-point games against the Raptors in the same season.

The Raptors, who were playing the Heat (33-28) for the first time since a Feb. 13 trade sent Jermaine O'Neal and Jamario Moon to Miami for Marion and Marcus Banks, were led on the scoresheet by Chris Bosh, who had 34 points, seven rebounds and four assists. Andrea Bargnani had 23 points, Anthony Parker had 16 and Marion and Jason Kapono put up 10 each.

New acquisition Pops Mensah-Bonsu chipped in four points and a game-high 10 rebounds for the Raptors. The Raptors acquired the six-foot-10 centre on Friday and signed him to a contract for the remainder of the season. The 25-year-old was released by the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday.

Michael Beasley had 12 points off the bench, Chris Quinn, Mario Chambers, and Udonis Haslem added 10 points each. O'Neal finished with eight points and four blocks for the Heat.

The Raptors had hoped a game with the Heat, who they had beaten in six consecutive meetings coming in, and seven out of the past eight, would help put the memories of a miserable western road swing behind them. But home hasn't exactly been a safe haven this season for the Raptors, who are now 12-17 at the ACC.

It was an unfortunate start to what is a crucial homestand for the Raptors. Toronto now has 10 games remaining in March; eight at home, including a stretch of five in a row to close out the month. If the Raptors are to have any hope of capturing a spot in the post-season, they need to win a majority of those games.

Raptors coach Jay Triano had said prior to the start of the game that he wanted his team to try to contain Wade and keep him off balance, but the plan never really worked out. ``We just have to try to give him some different looks, mix things up a little. Not give him the same guy in front of him, show him as many bodies as we can and try to keep him on the outside and challenge his shots...the same thing you do when you are playing Kobe and Lebron, but he's in that category,'' Triano said.

The Raptors tried to stage a comeback in the fourth after failing behind by as much as 15 points after Wade hit a three-pointer for the biggest lead of the night, but they fell short.

th 21 points in the half on 9-for-11 shooting.

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• Mar.6/09

[Mo34eva]

WADE MVP!!!

[XxPapsterxX]

Pops Mensah-Bonsu is a beasttttt

[raptorsfanboy]

YO I WAS AT THAT GAME

[sockrapist]

fags at realgm clutching at straws to bash bargs...fucking faggots.

[kennethalan942]

monuow seriously if I, have the ability to dunk, then even you can. I m only 5'8 geez! Merely be dedicated to a working jump system like the one I am using (50 inch vertical [dot] com), it will multiply your leaping ability and your basketball skills.

[generojas00]

#VIDEOPOSTERID#, occasionally I attempt to remember just what exactly it was like just before I was able to dunk for real. Soon after I put to use the workout program at (50 inch vertical [dot] com) - my game has been improving quickly I'm not a bench player anymore!

Toronto Raptors vs Miami Heat Mar.6/09

[boblloyd82]

monuow I mean if I, could certainly dunk, then anybody can. I'm only 5'8 no joke! Just be dedicated to a working jump system like the one I am using 50 inch vertical (dot) com, it will increase your jump/rebounding and your basketball skills.

Toronto Raptors vs Miami Heat Mar.6/09

[brettcarter346]

yo monuow, I m training to improve my vertical leap by doing the exercise program over at 50inch vertical[dot]com - and thus far gained like 9-10 inches thus far but I'm still a bit away from dunking on the rim It s only my second week thus far, any tips?

Toronto Raptors vs Miami Heat Mar.6/09

[kikenskie]

bigman2193 I was there too!what seat were you sitting,i was sitting in row 2 seat #22/#23

[bigman2193]

I was there. Wade killed us with 42 pts lol.

[soultosqueeze28]

the miami bench was right at 4:15, marion clearly travelled

[Starr2Die]

wow 1:50 wade played him and got a nice ass shot.

the miami heat were getting a little lazy raptors were coming close. Close one by my man wade killed them mvp and defensive player of the year.