Scottie Barnes scored 13 of his game-high 25 points in the decisive third quarter and the Toronto Raptors defeated the visiting Indiana Pacers 122-104 on Sunday afternoon.
Barnes also led everyone with 14 rebounds and four blocked shots to help the Raptors sweep the four-game season series from the Pacers. After trailing by two at halftime, Toronto took over the game with a 44-26 advantage in the third quarter.
RJ Barrett contributed 20 points and Sandro Mamukelashvili added 17 points for the Raptors, who have won three of four on their five-game homestand. Brandon Ingram and and Immanuel Quickley each scored 13 points. Trayce Jackson-Davis had 10 points and 10 rebounds in his Raptors debut.
Pascal Siakam scored 18 points for the Pacers, who have lost four straight. Jay Huff added 15 points, Jarace Walker provided 13 points, Ben Sheppard scored 12 and T.J. McConnell and Andrew Nembhard each notched 10.
Toronto led 21-20 after one quarter, but lost starting center Collin Murray-Boyles to a left thumb injury. He had two points and one blocked shot before leaving for good with 3:47 left in the first quarter.
Jackson-Davis, obtained in a trade with the Golden State Warriors, entered the game in the second quarter and immediately got a steal and assisted on Barnes’ running layup.
Siakam’s layup gave the Pacers a six-point lead with 2:06 to play in the second quarter and they led 48-46 at halftime.
Toronto solved Indiana’s defense by getting out in transition and scored the first eight points of the third quarter. Barnes led the Raptors’ charge and his rebound was followed by a running two-handed dunk to boost the lead to 13 with 6:53 to play. Quickley padded the margin to 19 with two consecutive 3-pointers.
Indiana’s Johnny Furphy collapsed after his dunk with 2:57 left in the third quarter cut Toronto’s lead to 80-68. He was helped off the court before being taken to the dressing room in a wheelchair with what the team said was right-leg soreness.
Toronto led 90-74 after three quarters.
The lead reached 21 when Jackson-Davis converted a free throw with 7:58 to go in the fourth quarter. The Pacers never got closer than 16 the rest of the way.
–Field Level Media
