 | L. Scola 15 MIN | 2-4 FG | 0-1 3FG | 0-1 FT | 6 REB | 1 AST | 1 STL | 0 BLK | 0 TO | 4 PTS | — +/-His veteran calm was on display early as he took a key charge and turned the young Turner (who was a big plus for Indy) around. His 4 rebounds in 8 minutes was a bonus. That said he still doesn’t have the foot speed to deal with mobile bigs, but the loss isn’t on him |  | |||||||
 | J. Valanciunas 21 MIN | 4-14 FG | 0-0 3FG | 4-4 FT | 19 REB | 0 AST | 0 STL | 1 BLK | 0 TO | 12 PTS | — +/-What is there to say other than JV was a downright stud in the first half. After the first quarter he had 8 points and 9 rebounds, by the half he still had 8 points but increased the rebounds to 15. Unfortunately he picked up 3 fouls which sent him back to the bench. He has a real advantage in the paint and over the course of the series you have to believe it’s going to pay dividends. He notched his double-double at 6:52 of the 3Q. Unlucky with some calls but he played his heart out. |  | |||||||
 | K. Lowry 41 MIN | 3-13 FG | 1-7 3FG | 4-9 FT | 2 REB | 7 AST | 2 STL | 1 BLK | 6 TO | 11 PTS | — +/-It was obvious from the onset Lowry was tight. He missed badly from the field and uncharacteristically seemed to be rushing. By playing so poorly the pressure will be 10-fold entering game 2 and it falls squarely on his and DeRozan’s shoulders. 3 of 13 from the field, 1 of 7 from 3 and 4 of 9 from the line |  | |||||||
 | D. DeRozan 37 MIN | 5-19 FG | 0-3 3FG | 4-6 FT | 2 REB | 4 AST | 2 STL | 0 BLK | 3 TO | 14 PTS | — +/-Like Lowry he was tight and shot poorly. I won’t reinvent the wheel Joshua B. Priemski @ HoopPlusTheHarm said it best with 7 mins left in 4Q: Raps would be up by double digits if Lowry and DeRozan made 40 percent of their shots. | | |||||||
 | N. Powell 17 MIN | 2-4 FG | 0-1 3FG | 1-2 FT | 3 REB | 0 AST | 0 STL | 0 BLK | 2 TO | 5 PTS | — +/-I was curious if Powell would return after just 8 minutes in the first half. Not because he played poorly, but because he twisted his ankle. I still think he has ice water in his veins. Proving that point as the team started the second still looking tight, it was Powell who scored back to back buckets to ignite the offense. Let’s hope that ankle isn’t badly hurt. |  | |||||||
 | P. Patterson 28 MIN | 4-5 FG | 1-1 3FG | 0-0 FT | 6 REB | 1 AST | 0 STL | 1 BLK | 1 TO | 9 PTS | — +/-His entry into the game (with Carroll) sparked the defensive effort plus his shot was falling hitting 3 of 4 for 7 points. However, it was his solid defense which stood out. |  | |||||||
 | T. Ross 14 MIN | 2-8 FG | 1-3 3FG | 0-0 FT | 1 REB | 0 AST | 0 STL | 0 BLK | 2 TO | 5 PTS | — +/-Couldn’t have played much worse in his initial minutes on the court: 2 fouls, 2 turnovers, a minus 2 and one rebound. BRUTAL. Better in the 2H, but expect more from him in his third trip to the post season. |  | |||||||
 | D. Carroll 19 MIN | 2-4 FG | 0-1 3FG | 2-2 FT | 2 REB | 1 AST | 0 STL | 0 BLK | 1 TO | 6 PTS | — +/-As the Pacers were making a run the entry of Carroll and Patterson shifted the tide. Like Joseph he played with a calm indicative of experience. It’s not his fault Casey kept him glued to the bench and barring news his knee is sore I don’t get why! |  | |||||||
 | B. Biyombo 24 MIN | 1-2 FG | 0-0 3FG | 4-6 FT | 8 REB | 0 AST | 0 STL | 2 BLK | 2 TO | 6 PTS | — +/-Brought his typical energy to the court, but took an ill advised shot instead of continuing the ball movement. His air balls were embarrassing. He was used more than Casey likely wanted given JV’s foul trouble but 6 points and 8 boards plus 2 blocks is gravy from his position. | | |||||||
 | C. Joseph 24 MIN | 5-6 FG | 1-2 3FG | 7-8 FT | 3 REB | 3 AST | 1 STL | 0 BLK | 2 TO | 18 PTS | — +/-In contrast to Lowry’s initial rushed play making, Cory Jo’s first minutes embodied exactly what you would expect from someone who has won a championship. He led with a steady hand and utilized his change of pace and versatility on offense to score 10 first half points. He finished with numbers akin to what we would expect from Lowry: 18 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists and a steal | | |||||||
 | Dwane Casey Inexplicably with Paul George hot from the field he continued to have DeRozan defend him. Carroll had played just 12 minutes when he finally returned with a little over 3.5 mins remaining. With JV in foul trouble I wondered why not give Jason Thompson a bit of a run. Further, why he didn’t get the team to push the pace more was confusing. | | |||||||
Four Things We Saw
- The story of the game: 38% from the field, Lowry/DeRozan 8 of 32 from the field, 1 of 10 from three, 8 of 15 from free throw line.As a team the Raptors shot 38% from the field, 21.1% from three and 68.4% from the line (missing 12 free throws – 26 of 38)
- I don’t know what I was thinking accepting to do the quick react for the first game. A good hour prior I was so nervous with anticipation my stomach was full of butterflies. My apologies if the comments are fragmented, but this was the most difficult QR I’ve ever done. I didn’t want to miss a second of play.
- Say what you will about the 12:30 start it messes with the players rhythm.
- The Raptors made their lives more difficult by adding pressure and tension to a must win Game 2. That said, I still believe the Raptors are a more versatile, deeper team. Don’t give up on the Raptors after 1 game, A win Monday and it’s a 5 game series.
Don’t miss the reaction podcast for Game 1:
