Toronto Raptors: Miami Heat Series Becoming a War of Attrition

Despite being just one win away from their first ever Conference Finals appearance, how much will the Toronto Raptors’ mounting injury issues impact their chances to finish off the Miami Heat?

With Wednesday night’s tense and exciting win over the Miami Heat, the Toronto Raptors find themselves on the verge of uncharted waters. With one more victory, they will qualify for the Conference Finals for the first time in franchise history.

However, despite being in unprecedented territory, you can bet Raptors fans are still nervous as hell. That’s because, despite having the better roster on paper, the injuries continue to mount up for Dwane Casey’s team.

The latest injury concern surrounds DeMarre Carroll, who bruised his left wrist while drawing a blocking foul during Game 5. Although the initial X-rays were negative, he will undergo further testing ahead of Friday’s game in Miami.

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Obviously if the team’s best defender can’t play in Game 6, it will be a massive blow for the Raptors. Carroll only returned recently from a knee injury, which limited him to 26 games during the regular season.

Coming so soon after losing Jonas Valanciunas to a sprained right ankle only increases the frustration. The big man had been Toronto’s best player during this postseason and there are no guarantees he will return, even if they advance.

Of course, the issues with Carroll and Valanciunas wouldn’t matter as much, if Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan were replicating their regular season form with more consistency. Unfortunately, the Raptors All-Star backcourt duo are also dealing with injury problems of their own.

Lowry has been coping with an elbow issue going back to before the playoffs started, which – no matter what he claims publicly – is clearing affecting his shot. DeRozan is being similar compromised, after twisting the thumb on his shooting hand during Game 1 of the Miami series.

There is some hope for the Raptors duo, as evidenced by their performance on Wednesday night. DeRozan equaled his playoff high of 34 points, while his teammate added 25 of his own.

May 11, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors point guard Kyle Lowry (7) talks to guard DeMar DeRozan (10) against the Miami Heat in game five of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. The Raptors beat the Heat 99-91. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports /

However, given the playoffs as a whole up to this point, there are no guarantees either or both of them will repeat their efforts in Game 6. Again, this is where the loss of Valanciunas and potentially Carroll becomes so important, with Lowry and DeRozan unable to defer to them, if their shooting is off again.

At least the Raptors can take some consolation in the fact their opponents are having injury problems of their own. Hassan Whiteside is probably out for the remainder of the series, while Luol Deng is awaiting the results of an MRI, after tripping over a photographer during Game 5. (Seriously NBA, you need to do something about where you allow the media to set up.)

In addition, the Heat are without former Raptors player Chris Bosh, who was ruled out of the playoffs, due to ongoing issues with blood clots. There are even some – admittedly unsubstantiated – claims his career may be over.

Ultimately, given everything that has transpired, being just one win away from facing the Cleveland Cavaliers for a shot at the NBA Finals is all you can ask for. However, don’t be surprised if there are still more twists and turns to come for the Raptors against the Heat.

Next: Don't count on DeMar DeRozan

How much do you think the Raptors mounting injury troubles will impact them? Do you still expect them to advance to the Conference Finals, or are you concerned the Heat will come back to take the series? Let us know in the comments section below.

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