As long as the Raptors are able to play at home, the team’s stated rebuild might have to be revisited.
For whatever reason, this group plays at a different level at Scotiabank Arena.
Outside of one game, the season opener against Cleveland, the Raptors have been very competitive and even good enough to post wins.
Even against the visiting Los Angeles Lakers, the Raptors hung around in the fourth quarter following a truly wretched first quarter.
Against an Indiana team that has lost its way, the Raptors have been able to feast on the Pacers.
Twice Indy has come to town and twice it has left town with losses, including Tuesday night’s 122-111 setback.
While only one win has been produced on the road, the Raptors have compiled a winning record at home.
Following their win over the Pacers, the Raptors improved to 6-4 on their home floor.
In their past four overall games, the Raptors have won three, including two in a row for the second time this season.
No one should be rushing for playoff tickets, but as long as Scottie Barnes and RJ Barrett are leading the way the Raptors will remain competitive.
When others are stepping up, nights such as Tuesday are possible.
Sunday against visiting Miami, the Raptors almost blew a double-digit lead before holding off the Heat.
The Pacers were well on their way of getting run off the floor until some long-awaited momentum was created in the third quarter when the Raptors stopped executing on both ends believing the outcome was already in the bag.
Indy, which trailed by as many as 24 points on the night, came within single digits in trailing 93-84 heading into the fourth quarter after closing out the third period on a 22-7 run.
It was a one-possession game in the final period.
The game turned tight when the Raptors did what they do best, which is to say they turned the ball over far too many times.
Some late in the shot clock heaves didn’t help, either.
A win is a win and the Raptors have shown a penchant for winning at home.
WAITING ON GRADEY
Injured Raptors wing Gradey Dick did some pre-game work in the hours leading up to tipoff, but he was ruled unavailable because of a calf contusion suffered in Cleveland.
Including Tuesday, Dick has not played in the team’s past five games.
The good news is that Dick is almost certain to make his return at some point this week as the Raptors set up shop at home.
For Dick to get the green light, he’ll have to first be able to make it through a full practice.
With games Thursday against OKC and Saturday against Dallas, it’s not a stretch to suggest Dick should be available for one of those two tips, perhaps even both.
Without Dick, the Raptors went with a starting group that once again featured rookie Ja’Kobe Walter.
The kid was guilty of one of basketball’s cardinal sins when he left his feet defending Tyrese Halliburton.
HALF-EMPTY CUP
Technically, the Raptors wrapped up their run in the NBA Cup when they played host to Indiana.
The eye-friendly purple court was the obvious sign of an occasion.
The rub is that the Raptors had already been eliminated from advancing, a reality that hit home last week when the team was on the road.
Two years into this NBA novelty that figures to be part of the hoops landscape for quite some time and the Raptors’ appearance has proven quite uneventful.
Two years and two home games would be staged.
At least one win would be salvaged.
In the inaugural Cup experience known as the in-season tournament, the Pacers advanced all the way to the final where they lost to the L.A. Lakers in Las Vegas.
Indy played a very high-octane brand of basketball it used to make a deep playoff run aided by some favourable matchups when the injury bug bit the Pacers’ opponents.
MADE IN CANADA
When the Pacers first came to town last month in an eventual loss to the Raptors, Aurora’s Andrew Nembhard wasn’t available.
He was Tuesday and was part of Indiana’s starting unit that featured fellow Canadian Bennedict Mathurin, who poured in 28 points in the Pacers’ double-digit loss to Toronto on Nov. 11.
Pre-game Tuesday, Mathurin entertained a group of roughly 50 people.
The Raptors’ starting unit once again featured Barrett, a roster stalwart whose game is perpetually expanding.
Including Barrett, a total of three Canadians started Tuesday night.
Indy began the night by resorting to their inner Raptors, which is to say the visitors were guilty of committing far too many turnovers.
In fact, eight would be committed leading to 12 points scored by the Raptors, who never trailed.
Only once were the teams tied in the opening quarter, which ended with the Raptors leading 31-23.
Barrett scored nine points on 3-for-5 shooting.
He began the night by netting seven points in barely four minutes.
SIAKAM STRUGGLES
Pascal Siakam often refers to Toronto as his home away from home.
Well before he took to the court, Siakam hosted an event for the Data Dunkers program, an inspirational initiative that combines basketball and data science.
Siakam has always given to the community and his latest act through his PS43 Foundation only adds to his legacy, even when he’s not playing in Toronto.
His growth as a player and in many ways as a person began in Toronto and it’s suffice to say Siakam will never forget his Canadian roots.
On the court, Siakam scored seven points in the opening half, which featured the Raptors leading by as many as 22 points.
Siakam was a minus-23 in the opening 24 minutes.
He wasn’t alone as every Indy starter had a minus rating.
Of the 10 players who saw the floor for the Pacers, only Obi Toppin had a positive rating (plus-4) in the opening half.
Siakam ended the night by scoring 13 points.
He had more fouls (5) than made baskets (4).
He even picked up a technical foul with 1:25 left in the game.
Siakam picked up his sixth and disqualifying foul with 43.1 seconds remaining.