TORONTO (AP) ― Back where their winning streak started on Super Bowl Sunday, the Miami Heat kept rolling right into March Madness.
Now it’s on to Boston to face the rival Celtics ― the team who ended the last streak this long.
The Heat equaled the second-longest winning streak in NBA history, pulling away in the fourth quarter Sunday to beat the Toronto Raptors 108-91 for their 22nd consecutive victory.
“It’s a special ride right now that we’re on,” LeBron James said. “The best thing about it is we’re doing it together.”
James had 22 points and 12 rebounds for his career-best 32nd double-double of the season, Dwyane Wade had 24 points and nine assists, and Ray Allen scored 16 of his 20 points in the fourth quarter for the defending NBA champions.
Chris Bosh finished with 18 points as the Heat matched the 22 consecutive wins recorded by the 2007-08 Houston Rockets.
The NBA’s longest streak is 33 games, set by the 1971-72 Los Angeles Lakers.
Miami will try to move into sole possession of second on Monday when it visits the Celtics ― who ended the Rockets’ run five years ago and have won 11 in a row at home.
“If there’s any group that would be motivated in a circumstance like this, it’s that team in green,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said.
“I don’t know if the streak will be a big factor but they love playing against us, and vice versa. That’s what happens when you meet a team consecutively in the playoffs. There’s a history there, and that’s what makes these games special.”