Anunoby scores season-high 32 as Raptors beat Heat, spoil Lowry’s return to Toronto

Kyle Lowry said he both loves and hates playing against former Toronto Raptors teammate Fred VanVleet.

Wednesday, it was more hate than love.

“[VanVleet] is one of the most competitive players ever, from Day 1 in training camp, picking me up full court,” Lowry said. “He’s a guy that his career, his path is going to be a story, and is going to continue to be one of the greatest stories in NBA history, because he’s going to continue to get better.”

Scottie Barnes finished with 19 points for the Raptors (9-7), who snapped Miami’s three-game winning streak on the way to their fourth consecutive win at Scotiabank Arena. Chris Boucher had 15 points, and Thaddeus Young chipped in with 12 points and eight boards.

WATCH | Raptors take down Heat:

Max Strus led the Heat (7-8) with 20 points, while Lowry had 19 points in his second game in Toronto since he was traded to Miami in the 2021 off-season.

VanVleet returned after missing a pair of games with a non-COVID illness.

“I still feel like s—-,” VanVleet said. “You know when you’re sick and you wake up, you feel better the day before, you think you’re ready to go? Took all about three minutes [Wednesday] before I realized I wasn’t 100 per cent yet.”

He wasn’t going to miss playing Lowry. They remain close friends and still talk every couple of days, VanVleet said.

“It’s funny for me [playing him],” VanVleet said with a laugh. “There’s nothing he could do to frustrate me. It’s annoying when he tricks the refs but other than that, it’s just fun watching him do what he does.

For the first half on Wednesday, it looked like Miami would come out the winners. The Raptors trailed by as many as 10 points in the first half, before finding another gear in the third…