On paper, realistically, Game 2 of the Raptors-Pacers series was just that, the second of what could be a seven-game showdown. But to Raptors fans who have soared on the few highs this franchise has given them in 21 years — and more often than not felt the pain that the varying lows have brought — Monday night felt like a pressure cooker of a game.
Kyle Lowry (18 points on 4-of-13 shooting, but a perfect 10-from-10 from the line)isn’t quite himself yet and DeMar DeRozan (5-for-18 for 10 points) sat the entire fourth quarter. But Jonas Valanciunas and the Raptors’ bench dug in and made sure that they won’t be heading back to Indianapolis in a two-game hole.