Indiana Pacers use focus down the clutch to squeak past Toronto Raptors 95-90 - NBA Recap
The win over one of the stronger teams in the league, Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday night, boosted the confidence of Indiana Pacers immensely. That is the reason despite trailing behind by as many as 16 points midway through the first half in their game against
the Toronto Raptors on Friday night; they still managed to finish on the top.
Pacers got off to a dismal start and were behind 24-40 in the first 6 minutes of the second frame but they recovered brilliantly in the ensuing passage and finished the quarter with a magnificent 16-5 run to get themselves back on the track.
Raptors were able to stay ahead throughout the third quarter. Pacers though did not allow the deficit to go out of the control and that worked for them in the end as by the end of the frame they had managed to level the score at 65 all.
The deciding quarter was highly intense and neither team allowed the opponent to get control of proceedings. Scores were levelled on as many as 11 instances. With less than 40 seconds remaining, scores were again tied on 90 all and then Pacers used flurry
of free throws to put the game to bed.
"I'm proud of our guys for grinding out a game that didn't really go our way, being able to find a way to win and execute in the fourth quarter," Coach Frank Vogel said.
George Hill led the pacers with 22 points on 7 for 11 from the floor while Roy Hibbert pounded 15 and drained 9 boards.
Hill too was thrilled with the team’s comeback in this game.
"That's us," Hill said of Indiana's fight-back. "We've got to play with a chip on our shoulder. Eighth place last year is not good enough for us. We feel like we can be one of the top teams in the East."
David West and Tyler Hansbrough both chipped in with 13 points apiece. The only disappointment of the game for Pacers was their leading scorer of the season, Danny Granger.
Danny struggled throughout the first half and therefore he was called to the bench by his coach. In his absence, other players stepped up and took the team forward.
Demar DeRozan paced the Raptors with a game high 23 points whereas the reserve Leandro Barbosa drained 20 points. Jose Calderon had 15 points and 9 assists.
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