Heat Finish Regular Season Strong, Beat Raptors 97-79
TORONTO (AP) - Eddie House scored a career-high 35 points, Juwan Howard added 18 and the Miami Heat beat the Toronto Raptors 97-79 on Wednesday night in the regular-season finale.
With the Heat assured of the second seed in the East, Miami coach Erik Spoelstra rested LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. The Heat also were without forward Mike Miller, who sat out the second half Sunday against Boston because of a sore left thumb and injured his left ankle Monday night against Atlanta.
Miami will host Philadelphia in its postseason opener Saturday.
House's previous career best was 31, set against Utah on Nov. 18, 2005. He was 7 of 13 from 3-point range.
James Jones scored 12 points and Jamaal Magloire had a season-high 19 rebounds for the Heat, who have won four straight and 15 of 18 heading into the playoffs.
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