The Raptors are strong against the hapless Pacers

The Raptors recorded their 7th win in ten games against Pacersstill at the bottom of the Eastern Conference, and who lost another player…

The beginning of the meeting is awkward and unspectacular. The two teams neutralized each other during the first quarter, marked by many offensive inaccuracies. Toronto quickly lost rookie Colin Murray-Boyles, forced to leave the game after spraining his left thumb, disrupting the Raptors’ internal rotation. Despite this, the pace remains slow and the Raptors lead by a small point (21-20).

The second quarter confirms this balance. The stats are nearly identical on both sides: the same rebounding dominance, comparable paint production and little difference in scoring. Indiana was simply more efficient at the free throw line, allowing them to take a 48–46 halftime lead in what still looked like a showdown.

Barnes detonator

Everything changes when you come back from the locker room. From the beginning of the third quarter, Toronto completely changed its face. Led by the intensity of Scotty Barnes, the Raptors put an 8-0 start on the Pacers, before going on a devastating streak. In six minutes, Toronto outscored Indiana 29–8 and took control of the game for good. Barnes dominates all areas of the game, relentlessly attacking the racket while forcing his partners to play. The situation was further complicated for Indiana when Johnny Furfee was seriously injured late in the third quarter after making an awkward reception on one leg after a dunk. The Raptors won the quarter 44–26 and led 90–74.

Already stripped of several players, the Pacers definitely lost track then, and the last quarter was nothing but management for Toronto. The Raptors continue to push the tempo, especially in transition, and widen the gap without a care. Coming off the bench and thanks to his opportunism on the offensive rebound, Trace Jackson-Davis had a solid debut under the new colors with a double-double in fifteen minutes. Toronto eventually won 122:104.

WHAT TO REMEMBER

Scotty Barnes is not slowing down. The All-Star, Raptors wing finished the game with 25 points, 14 rebounds and 6 assists, signing another double-double. Just as he raised his voice, the Pacers were blown away, and he won a duel with his former teammate, Pascal Siakam.

Furphy’s pain. On an almost harmless dunk, Johnny Furfee was seriously injured. The Pacers’ dunker landed badly on his right leg, and he immediately stopped below the knee. Instead of a crusader, we can fear a fracture given the images. He reached the dressing room in a wheelchair.

How to read statistics? Min = Minute; Shots = Shots Successful / Shots Attempted; 3 points = 3 points / attempt 3 points; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive jump; T = Total number of jumps; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal mistakes; Int = intercepts; Bp = lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Difference of points when the player is on the field; Points = Points; Rating: player rating calculated based on positive actions – negative actions.