Raptors cruise past Pacers, 111-98

With only two home games left this season for the Toronto Raptors, the Raptors were looking to improve on their 30-9 home record with the Indiana Pacers ready to battle at the Air Canada Centre. Raptors DeMar DeRozan, Kyle Lowry, and Luis Scola were all given the game off to rest; which, in theory, would be the perfect opportunity for the Indiana Pacers to capitalize on getting a win as they fight to hold on to their NBA playoff spot with just several days remaining in the regular season.

Toronto, including rookies Norman Powell and Delon Wright, had other ideas as both players proceeded to set new career high scoring marks, posting 27 points and 19 points respectively. Norman Powell also set a Raptors’ rookie record with 19 free throw attempts in the game (Powell made 14 of them).  Cory Joseph had an excellent game holding down the starting point guard duties for the Raptors with 18 points and, a season high, nine assists.

Terrence Ross showed his aerial flair early in the second quarter with this high flying assault on the rim:

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yx1KHzOQC8w]

The Raptors led the Pacers by as many as 19 points in the game, and shot 54% from the field as a team (37-68 shooting), and shot 45% from three-point range (10-22 shooting). The Pacers turned up the heat in the fourth quarter, managing 32 points, but they had only scored 66 points total through the first three quarters. Conversely, the Raptors totaled 82 points through three quarters, and essentially played even basketball with the Pacers in the fourth quarter, scoring 29 points in the frame, carrying them to a 111-98 win over the Pacers.

With the win, the Raptors have set a new franchise high with 31 home wins in a season. They have one more chance to extend that, when they play their final home game, and second to last regular season game, on Tuesday April 12th vs. the Philadelphia 76ers.

The other team battling the Indiana Pacers for one of the Eastern Conference’s final two playoff spots are the Detroit Pistons. The Pistons have now clinched a playoff spot with their 112-99 win over the Washington Wizards, and are currently sitting in the Eastern Conference’s 7th spot (which would be the Raptors’ first round playoff opponent). This marks the first time since 2009 that the Pistons have reached the postseason.

Notable Raptors stat lines:

James Johnson – Nine points, five rebounds, three assists, one steal
Jason Thompson – Eight points, six assists, one steal, one block
Jonas Valanciunas – Ten points, four rebounds, one block
Norman Powell – 27 points*, six rebounds, four assists, one steal (Career high in points for Powell)
Cory Joseph – 18 points, *nine assists, one steal (Season high assists total for Joseph)
Terrence Ross – 14 points
Delon Wright – 19 points*, four rebounds, two assists (Career high in points for Wright)

Notable Pacers stat lines:

Paul George – 14 points, four rebounds, three assists, one steal, one block
Lavoy Allen – 12 points, eight rebounds, one steal
Monta Ellis – 17 points, three rebounds, four assists, one steal
Solomon Hill – 16 points, two rebounds, three assists,
C.J. Miles – 13 points

Postgame Reactions:

Terrence Ross

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ICtk8a8_eSE]

Dwane Casey

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SIMI6jwUQV0]

Norman Powell

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7OnZnjl920]

Delon Wright

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=–3nDMDcn4Y]