Kyle Lowry Hits Buzzer Beater, Practices After Raptors’ Game

It was an improbable shot by Kyle Lowry. In Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals, Lowry’s Toronto Raptors were down by two points to the Miami Heat as time ticked off the clock to end regulation. With 3.3 seconds remaining, Miami’s Hassan Whiteside hit one of two free throws, to put Miami ahead by three points. Lowry took the inbounds pass precariously, and dribbled up the court. Kyle then took a 50-foot heave shot from half-court, and with less than one second remaining on the clock, his buzzer beater tied the game at 90.

Kyle Lowry’s prayer was answered! https://t.co/msrkDCu86v

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 4, 2016

As you see in the video, the Raptors’ crowd at the Air Canada Centre absolutely erupted in elation. Unfortunately, it was all for naught, as the Raptors dropped the overtime session to Miami, 12-6.

Lowry had been mired in a slump prior to that buzzer beater to tie the game. As reported by Andre Vergara on the Fox Sports website, Kyle missed 10 of 12 shots and all six of his 3-pointers before the buzzer beater. Although he has not played well in this year’s playoffs to-date, Lowry is determined to pick up his game, as recounted by Mike Mazzeo on the ESPN website.

“I’m trying to get my touch back. I don’t know where it’s at. It’s kind of mind-boggling right now, and it’s frustrating, but I’m not going to shy away from the criticism or anything. I know I’m not playing well at all. We got out of the first round with me not playing well, not shooting the ball well, but if we’re going to get out of this next series, I have to play better, shoot the ball better and score the ball better.”

His words were followed up by action. After the Raptors’ loss on Tuesday night, Kyle Lowry was back on the court, practicing his long-range jump shot.

It’s 1 a.m. and that’s Kyle Lowry. #WeTheNorthpic.twitter.com/I2iT8TXtLV

— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) May 4, 2016

With a work ethic evident through practice after an intense playoff game, it is only a matter of time before Kyle finds his stroke and contributes to the Raptors’ success in the postseason.

The point guard who played in college at Villanova has been an All-Star for the past two NBA seasons. He has the game. Lowry just needs to find it here in the playoffs.

Through eight games in this year’s NBA playoffs, according to the Basketball-Reference website, Lowry has led the league in both minutes-played and personal fouls. He is shooting just .306 from the field, and only .160 from 3-point range. Contrast that with Kyle’s regular season numbers of .427 from the field and .388 from behind the arc.

Kyle Lowry… when it matters!

He was 7-of-48 from 3 in the playoffs before a deeeep shot forces OT in Toronto. pic.twitter.com/xDEZgc95BJ

— ESPN (@espn) May 4, 2016

The NBA, like baseball, is a game of averages. When a player is performing well above or below their norm, they are bound to come back in line with their statistical average — at least to a large extent. Right now, Kyle Lowry is well below his average performance. Look for that to change.

As reported by John Schuhmann on the NBA website, Lowry’s shooting slump can be traced back to March, when Kyle had his right elbow drained of fluid. Lowry isn’t receiving any further treatment however, and his practice in the gym has not been adversely affected.

“I shoot the ball well when I’m by myself, but… I’m by myself.”

Lowry and his Toronto Raptors will have another shot at the Miami Heat when the teams meet on Thursday evening at the Air Canada Centre. Although the Raptors advanced through the first round without Kyle playing at his best, in order to reach the Eastern Conference finals, Lowry will need to regain the touch that made him an All-Star.

[Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images]