Toronto Raptors score 5 in the last quarter; Still edge out Indiana Pacers: NBA Recap
Jose Calderon notched up a triple-double with 13 points, 10 assists and 10 rebounds and DeMar DeRozan added 15 points, leading Toronto Raptors to a 74-72 win over the Indiana Pacers in a low scoring affair on Tuesday night.
Raptors played a dull second half as they shot 6 out of 33 (18.2 percent) and scored only 5 points in the final quarter. But somehow, they still managed to survive here at the Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Indianapolis.
The Raptors came into this game after a tough triple overtime loss to Utah Jazz 140-133 on Monday night and were also missing three players due to injury. On the other hand, the Pacers had two days rest coming into this game.
"Tonight our guys willed their way through the fourth quarter. They had no legs to score. But our guys stuck together." said Toronto Coach Dwane Casey.
Raptors were in total command of the game by the end of the third period, and then fended off a late rally by the Pacers to snap their losing streak of four.
The Pacers feeding from the energy of the home crowd started the proceedings strongly, going up 13-4 early. The Raptors soon found their rhythm and went for a 10-0 run to go up 14-13. Nearly a minute later, Andrea Bargnani fired
one in from downtown for the Raptors to tie the score at 17. The Raptors started pulling ahead in the later part of the period and built a decent 8 point advantage by the end of it, leading the Pacers 29-21.
Pacers cut the deficit to 27-31 early in the second period before a 13-3 by the Raptors put them up by 44-30. Raptors maintained their 10 point advantage till the halftime, as they closed the period leading by 46-36.
Jonas Valanciunas’ free throws early in the third period opened up a 15 point advantage for the Raptors at 51-36. Pacers tried to cut the deficit but could not come closer than 8 points; Raptors went into the final quarter leading
69-58.
The final quarter had a cold start with the first field goal coming after 2:34 minutes when Linas Kleiza made a jumper, which was replied by a three pointer by Gerald Green that left them trailing 62-71. George Hill then played
his heart out for the Pacers as he scored 8 points to compile a 13-3 run that cut the deficit to 72-74. With a minute left on the clock, the Pacers had about four attempts to tie the score but missed them all.
George Hill finished off with 18 points and 5 rebounds, Paul George had 12 points and 9 boards while David West chipped in with 11 points for the Pacers, who outscored the Raptors 32-18 in the paint and were also ahead in the fast
break points with 23-4.
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