Lowry lifts Raptors 

Kyle Lowry scored 33 points to help the Toronto Raptors overcome the loss of center Jonas Valanciunas and beat the Heat 95-91 in Miami.

Lowry, who struggled with his shooting in the first two games of the best-of-seven Eastern Conference second-round series, connected on 11 of 19 attempts from the floor as the Raptors took a 2-1 series lead.

"I felt it was a matter of time before my shots would go in," Lowry said. "I just wanted to be aggressive. I've got great friends and great mentors in my life. And every last one of them told me to keep playing  -- stop fighting myself and continue to grind it out."

Lowry was three-of-three from three-point range in his 15-point third quarter. He scored 14 points in the fourth period when his jump shot over Heat veteran Dwyane Wade with 31 seconds to play gave the Raptors a three-point lead.

Miami's Joe Johnson missed a three-pointer with 16.8 seconds left that would have tied the score.

Miami was led by Wade, who scored 18 of his 38 points in the third period.

He had 11 points in the fourth quarter, but missed a contested three-pointer with 9.5 seconds left with Miami down by four.

Both teams saw key big men depart early with injuries.

Heat center Hassan Whiteside reinjured his right knee with 10:53 left in the second quarter. He had hurt the knee in the series opener but continued to play.

This time, Whiteside, who led the NBA in blocked shots this season, left the game with six points and no rebounds in eight minutes.

Toronto's Lithuanian center Valanciunas, who averaged 19.5 points and 13 rebounds in the first two games, had 16 points and 12 rebounds when he sprained his right ankle with 8:53 left in the third.

"They lost their rim protector (Whiteside) and we lost ours," said Raptors coach Dwane Casey. "We'll see what happens (going forward)." — Agence France-Presse