Raptors–Heat | Gary Trent return considered for match, Kyle Lowry absent

Citing personal reasons, the Heat’s Kyle Lowry will not play when the Toronto Raptors visit Miami on Monday night.

It’s the first meeting between the two clubs since Lowry joined the Heat in August after nine seasons with the Raptors.

The 35-year-old veteran leads the Heat with 8.3 assists per game and 13.4 points per game. Lowry leads the NBA with 22 offensive fouls drawn.

Lowry has long embodied the whole fighting side of the Raptors. A major figure in Toronto’s sports history, his return to the Queen City is eagerly awaited. The Heat will play in Canada on the 1^er February and April 3.

Before that, the Heat are also set to host the Raptors on January 29.

Bam Adebayo is expected to return to action on Monday after a right thumb injury.

Adebayo only played 18 games but averaged 18.7 points.

Gary Trent could return to play for the Raptors. He missed four games with a left ankle injury.

Leader of his team with 1.9 steals per game, Trent has averaged 16.4 points per game this season.

He’s second on the team in three-point shooting efficiency. Fred VanVleet has a success rate of 40.9%, and Trent 36.8%.

Khem Birch will again be absent. He suffered a broken nose against the Pistons on Friday in Detroit.

This will be the third game of a five-game trip for the Raptors. They lost in Detroit, but won in Milwaukee.

Miami ranks third in the East, five spots ahead of Toronto.