The Toronto Raptors had their work cut out for them against the Indiana Pacers, but they rose to the challenge and escaped with a victory on Sunday.
The Raptors were once again without Kyle Lowry and Pascal Siakam, but their defense came to play at the most opportune time.
Fred VanVleet stuck with Pacers guard Malcolm Brogdon late in the game and forced a turnover, and the Raptors defense was relentless for the entire game.
FRED VANVLEET
ALL-DEFENCE pic.twitter.com/XgdjTKcJGA
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) January 24, 2021
The Pacers had a chance to score in the final seconds, but the Raptors said no: Stanley Johnson and VanVleet had other plans as Johnson blocked Pacers big man Domantas Sabonis.
THAT'S A NO FROM US pic.twitter.com/KXA9JK1qgE
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) January 24, 2021
Coach Nick Nurse's team was without their starting point guard in Lowry and perhaps their best player in Siakam, but the Raptors fought and clawed their way to a victory.
OG Anunoby had a game-high 30 points on 9-16 from the field- including four three-pointers. VanVleet added 21 points and three steals, and Norman Powell filled in for Lowry again and chipped in 20 points with six assists for the Raptors.
The Pacers got a huge game from Myles Turner, who finished with 25 points and six blocks in yet another dominant performance by the potential DPOY.
Sabonis had a frustrating game as Toronto buckled down and limited him to 10 points o a 1-10 clip from the field, although he did add 19 rebounds.
The Raptors will be glad to escape Indiana with a much-needed victory as they look to move up in the Eastern Conference standings. Toronto has found tough sledding in the early portions of its season. This team has had to play its home games in Tampa, a result of restrictions placed by the Canadian government on large group gatherings related to COVID-19. The Toronto Blue Jays baseball team had to play its 2020 home games in the United States, moving to Buffalo for its home dates.
Follow Us
Subscribe