With a background that could make him an honorary citizen, Indiana Pacers coach Rick Carlisle played a big part in making Canadian basketball history Wednesday night.
The native of Ogdensburg, N.Y, just across the St. Lawrence from Prescott, Ont., ran out a starting lineup against the Raptors that included three Canadians, the first time three had started for the same team in an NBA game.
And they celebrated all night long.
The trio — Aurora’s Andrew Nembhard, Montreal’s Bennedict Mathurin and Mississauga’s Oshae Brissett — played vital roles as the Pacers upset the Raptors 118-114 at the Scotiabank Arena, snapping Toronto’s seven-game winning streak at home.