“I always take on the challenge”, DeRozan said. And so, they are back to answering the same questions about their stretch of playoff futility that has now reached seven consecutive postseason losses spanning three seasons. When he missed most of last season after both bones in his lower right leg were fractured during a U.S. national team practice game, the Pacers missed the play-offs for the first time in his career. “This means a lot; it means a lot to be back here; it means a lot to be on this stage again”.
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“They’re really going to be the two ringleaders to come out in Game 2″, Indiana’s Paul George said.
“It hurts guys’ rhythm a little bit”, Toronto coach Dwane Casey said. “Paul’s shot-making late in the game was spectacular”. Klay Thompson added 16 points and backup Marreese Speights had 12 for the Warriors, who set an National Basketball Association record with 73 regular-season wins to secure top seeding in the Western playoffs.
George’s play was of stark contrast to that of the Raptors All-Star backcourt duo of Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan, who combined for 25 points on an underwhelming 8-for-32 shooting clip from the field.
“I definitely didn’t go on social media because I know they were probably talking a lot of trash”, Lowry said. Their performance was clearly not enough to carry their team to victory. DeMar DeRozan, blanketed by Paul George the entire afternoon, finished 5-for-19 with 14 points. Cory Joseph scored 18. “When we look in the mirror, we see the Indiana Pacers”, he said. “Just go out and play their game – that’s basically what I said”.
The Pacers have had a hard time closing out games this year and have lost more than their fair share of nail-biters, but this time the offense and the defense were there to close out a tough playoff game on the road. “We’re very positive. We’re very confident”.
IN shot just 43 percent overall but was 11-of-21 from three-point range. His 12 points and 19 rebounds were huge, as he had a near double-double in the first quarter with eight points and nine rebounds. That wasn’t the case for the Indiana Pacers star in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference playoffs, though. Valanciunas, the third-year centre who has largely disappeared in the two previous playoff seasons, began this one as a monster. Its only postseason triumph was a five-game series over the Knicks in 2001. And it ended with Toronto, after a best-ever regular season, looking again like a team that sorely lacks the ability to raise its game under the bright lights of the playoffs.
Toronto led by two points at halftime, but the Pacers were up by three going into the fourth quarter, thanks in large part to 17 points from George in the third. The 2016 NBA Playoffs tip off Saturday as the Indiana Pacers take on the Toronto Raptors in the first of four games on a busy schedule. The Pacers had not won in Toronto since March 1, 2013…. He missed both free throw opportunities in the opening minutes of the game.
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After trailing by as many as 19 in the first, Boston’s Avery Bradley and Marcus Smart sparked a second-half rally. Carroll said after Sunday’s practice that his knee feels fine and he could play 30 minutes if asked as the Raptors try to even the best-of-seven series on Monday.
