Raptors Pull Out Close 98-87 Victory, Even Series 1-1 vs. Pacers

The Toronto Raptors were finally able to snap their seven-game postseason losing streak, pulling out a hard-fought 98-87 win over the Indiana Pacers.

Toronto fed off a frenzied home crowd to open the game on a 21-7 run, which set the tempo for the rest of the game. Indiana battled back to cut the score to 53-48 at the half, but the Raptors had another answer. They were able to push their lead back up to double-digits with a 24-10 run spanning from the end of the third quarter to the beginning of the fourth. Indiana never got within 11 points after that. 

Toronto experienced postseason success after losing the final two games of their 2014 first-round series against the Brooklyn Nets, then were swept by the Washington Wizards in the first round last year.

Center Jonas Valanciunas had a huge night to lead the Raptors, leading them with 23 points and 15 rebounds. Patrick Patterson (14 points) and Cory Joseph (16 points) both provided huge sparks off the bench.

Paul George led the way for the Pacers with 28 points, but he didn't receive a lot of help from his teammates. Monta Ellis (15 points) was the only other player who scored in double digits for Indiana.

Game 3 of the series will be in Indianapolis on Thursday. Tip-off is set for 7:30, and the game will be televised on NBATV.

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Related Topics: Raptors News, Jonas Valanciunas, Kyle Lowry, NBA Playoffs, Paul George, 2016 NBA Playoffs, Pacers News, NBA News