Toronto takes Game 2 against the Pacers to tie the series as Norman Powell and the Raptors step up the defense.
 | L. Scola 11 MIN | 0-1 FG | 0-1 3FG | 0-0 FT | 2 REB | 0 AST | 0 STL | 0 BLK | 1 TO | 0 PTS | +4 +/- He’s starting only to maintain roles and balance off the bench. His job is to give the team 6-7 minutes without being lit up, so that Patterson’s rhythm coming off the bench isn’t altered. |  |
 | D. Carroll 20 MIN | 1-3 FG | 0-0 3FG | 0-0 FT | 2 REB | 1 AST | 0 STL | 0 BLK | 2 TO | 2 PTS | -12 +/- Picked up two early fouls and was replaced by Norm. When he did resume full-time on George in the third, played him well, but George is just too crafty at giving it up and receiving it on a different spot to be slowed down. Overall, looked about 80% physically. |  |
 | J. Valanciunas 31 MIN | 10-18 FG | 0-0 3FG | 3-4 FT | 15 REB | 0 AST | 1 STL | 2 BLK | 1 TO | 23 PTS | +1 +/- Monster first half. Dominated Indiana inside, and scored early on the touch. The confidence his teammates have in him was evident in the re-posts that Lowry gave him, who knows JV’s a source of offense, when given the focus. He’s bigger and stronger than anyone Indiana can throw at him, and it shows every time the ball goes up. |  |
 | K. Lowry 40 MIN | 4-13 FG | 0-5 3FG | 10-10 FT | 7 REB | 9 AST | 1 STL | 0 BLK | 2 TO | 18 PTS | +13 +/- Not the greatest game if you consider shot-making, but excellent otherwise. Constantly broke down the Pacers by getting into the paint, and kicking it out. George Hill and Ty Lawson were no match for him, especially when paired with Cory Joseph in the backcourt, as that increased the ball-handling to unmanageable levels for Indiana. |  |
 | D. DeRozan 31 MIN | 5-18 FG | 0-2 3FG | 0-0 FT | 4 REB | 2 AST | 1 STL | 0 BLK | 2 TO | 10 PTS | +6 +/- Hot garbage again, and I’m not even talking about his offense. The reason Indiana came back from 16 down in the second quarter was because DeRozan couldn’t stop anyone he was guarding – whether it be Monta Ellis, Paul George, or his own shadow. The Raptors have to reorient their lineups just to hide him on defense, and Jack Armstrong even called him “their weakest perimeter defender”. On offense, more of the same, no rhythm, all forced. Without him, you see offense like this: |  |
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 | J. Thompson 2 MIN | 0-1 FG | 0-1 3FG | 0-0 FT | 0 REB | 0 AST | 0 STL | 0 BLK | 0 TO | 0 PTS | -2 +/- Welcome to the playoffs, son. |  |
 | P. Patterson 31 MIN | 5-6 FG | 2-2 3FG | 2-2 FT | 6 REB | 1 AST | 1 STL | 1 BLK | 3 TO | 14 PTS | +21 +/- Superb defensively, crashed the glass, got 50-50 boards, even drove against his natural instincts and finished well. He’s playing a Robert Horry role this playoffs, except with better interior shot-making. | |
 | T. Ross 10 MIN | 2-4 FG | 2-4 3FG | 0-0 FT | 2 REB | 1 AST | 1 STL | 0 BLK | 0 TO | 6 PTS | -8 +/- Two big threes in the run that gave the Raptors the big early edge, butu ws suspect defensively when in there. Unfortunately, bumped into DeRozan and was taken out of the game as the league’s concussion protocol was followed. | |
 | B. Biyombo 17 MIN | 1-2 FG | 0-0 3FG | 4-5 FT | 4 REB | 1 AST | 1 STL | 1 BLK | 1 TO | 6 PTS | +10 +/- Part of every good defensive unit the Raptors had, and you just feel the fear of the Indiana bigs when they have to go up against him on the glass. He’s even setting amazing screens for Lowry and Joseph when playing the five, and presents a strong case for the stats not telling the whole story. |  |
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 | D. Wright 1 MIN | 0-0 FG | 0-0 3FG | 0-0 FT | 0 REB | 0 AST | 0 STL | 0 BLK | 0 TO | 0 PTS | -2 +/- Hi there. | |
 | C. Joseph 24 MIN | 6-8 FG | 0-0 3FG | 4-4 FT | 1 REB | 3 AST | 1 STL | 0 BLK | 1 TO | 16 PTS | +5 +/- Beautiful game again. Made Ty Lawson dance to his tune and his finishing at the rim in traffic was sublime. He’s not speedy, but he’s quick, and all you need is that initial burst of speed on the high screen and the Pacer interior defense is way too late to react. | |
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 | N. Powell 22 MIN | 1-6 FG | 1-3 3FG | 0-0 FT | 1 REB | 1 AST | 1 STL | 1 BLK | 0 TO | 3 PTS | +21 +/- Was easily the best defensive wing player on both teams, and caused George tons of issues. Continues to play with an aura of a vet, and remains unfazed by the occasion. Even hit the shots that presented themselves, and left little doubt in his coach’s mind that he’s a firm part of the playoff rotation. | |
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 | Dwane Casey Started Carroll which ended up being pointless as he picked up two fouls, and ended up going with Powell anyway. Didn’t recognize DeRozan being lit up in the first half, and wasn’t able to kill the Pacers run which had them all the way within 5 after being down 16. Did resist the urge to bring back DeRozan in the fourth when the Powell/Joseph/Lowry wing trio was performing, which qualifies as learning. | |
Five Things We Saw
- The lineup that earned us that big lead in the first half: Patterson, Biyombo, Joseph, Lowry, and Ross. The more ball-handling you have, the more penetration and Indiana is not an organized enough defensive team to cope with that.
- Best defensive lineup: Biyombo, Joseph, Lowry, Patterson, and Powell in the fourth, who completely locked down the Pacers guards. I’m assuming the only reason JV was brought back in for Biyombo was because the latter was tired, otherwise, there was no reason to disrupt the flow. This lineup won us the game.
- Lowry is tuned in to this playoff series. Even when his shot isn’t falling, he’s making huge contributions in terms of ball-handling, playmaking, and defense. Contrast this with DeRozan, who is essentially a one-trick pony for who the Raptors incur a defensive cost when he’s on the floor.
- Indiana was paying extreme levels of attention to Lowry and DeRozan again, and the Raptors responded by adding another ball-handler and driving at a help-conscious Pacer defense that is too young and inexperienced to handle them.
- The Pacers leave Toronto with a split, which is what they came looking for. This game would’ve been a bonus, and they’re going to be ready for Game 3 at their house. They’re most dangerous when they’re on the break, and you can trust that that will be their primary focus in Game 3, because when they’re rebound-and-running, the Raptors have no answer. Stop that and you win this series, maybe even in 5.
