NBA: Heat break Raptors after Lowry heroics

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TORONTO, ON - MAY 03: Dwyane Wade #3 of the Miami Heat dribbles the ball as Norman Powell #24 of the Toronto Raptors defends in the first half of Game One of the Eastern Conference Semifinals during the 2016 NBA Playoffs at the Air Canada Centre on May 3, 2016 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images/AFP
TORONTO, ON – MAY 03: Dwyane Wade #3 of the Miami Heat dribbles the ball as Norman Powell #24 of the Toronto Raptors defends in the first half of Game One of the Eastern Conference Semifinals during the 2016 NBA Playoffs at the Air Canada Centre on May 3, 2016 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images/AFP

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — The Miami Heat defeated the Toronto Raptors 102-96 in overtime on Tuesday to claim a 1-0 lead in their best-of-seven Eastern Conference semi-final playoff series.

A stunning buzzer-beating three-pointer from near halfway by Toronto star Kyle Lowry had given the Raptors a lifeline at 90-90 to force overtime.

But in overtime Miami raised their game to break the Raptors resistance, quickly rattling off eight unanswered points to silence the crowd and take a 98-90 lead.

Toronto were given a glimmer of hope trailing at 99-96 but DeMar DeRozan was unable to get a shot off and Miami Heat star Dwyane Wade snaffled to score a two-pointer and put the game out of reach.

Game two takes place on Thursday.

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