Toronto Raptors Continue Strong Season With Win Over Indiana Pacers
A familiar sense of impending doom settled over Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Wednesday night. The Raptors, cruising with a 27-point lead and looking like world-beaters, suddenly decided to make things interesting against the Indiana Pacers. But just when it felt like the wheels were about to fly off completely, Toronto found stability from a guy known more for his shimmering perimeter shooting than his grit in the paint.
A Tale Of Two Halves For the Raptors
For the first half of this game, the Raptors looked like the ‘96 Bulls. They were moving the ball, hitting shots, and completely stifling an Indiana team that usually loves to run and gun. Building a 27-point cushion in the NBA is no joke. It takes focus, execution, and a little bit of luck.
But this is the NBA, and the “game of runs” cliché exists for a reason. As the fourth quarter rolled around, that massive lead started shrinking faster than a wool sweater in a hot dryer. The Pacers, buoyed by their home crowd, started chipping away. A three here, a turnover there, and suddenly, a 27-point blowout was a four-point nail-biter.
Credit where it’s due, though. When the Pacers cut it to four, the Raptors didn’t fold. They got angry. They closed the game on a ferocious 12-2 run, slamming the door shut on Indiana’s comeback hopes and securing a 115-101 victory. It wasn’t pretty down the stretch, but they got it done.
Gradey Dick Steps Up In a Major Way
The headline of the night isn’t just the win; it’s how they won. Specifically, it’s about Gradey Dick.
For three seasons, we’ve known Dick can shoot. He has a flamethrower of an arm. But rebounding? Grinding in the paint? That hasn’t exactly been his calling card. Yet, on a night when the Raptors desperately needed someone to do the dirty work, Dick played arguably the best game of his young career.
He poured in 21 points, which is great, but the stat that jumps off the page is the 11 rebounds. It marked his first double-double in three NBA seasons. When the Pacers were making their push, it was hustle plays and key boards from the bench unit that helped stem the tide. If Dick can add “elite rebounder” to his resume consistently, the Raptors are looking at a very different ceiling for this squad.
Ingram and Barnes Lead the Charge
While Dick was the surprise of the night, the stars did what stars are supposed to do. Brandon Ingram was a walking bucket, leading all scorers with a cool 30 points. When the offense stalled during that Pacers run, Ingram was the one creating shots out of nothing, keeping the scoreboard moving.
Then there’s Scottie Barnes. The stat sheet stuffer supreme did it again: 26 points, 13 assists, and 7 rebounds. He controlled the tempo, found open shooters, and attacked the rim when the lanes opened up. You can’t ask for much more from your franchise cornerstone.
We also have to shout out the rookie, Collin Murray-Boyles. Stepping into a high-pressure game and dropping a double-double (10 points, 10 rebounds) is big-time stuff. Between him and Ochai Agbaji (10 points) chipping in off the bench, the Raptors showed they have some serious depth when things click.
What’s Next For Toronto?
The Raptors don’t have much time to celebrate this escape act. They head back north to Scotiabank Arena for a Friday night showdown that promises to be a spectacle. Waiting for them? James Harden, Kawhi Leonard, and the Los Angeles Clippers.
Facing the Clippers is always a litmus test. You’ve got the history with Leonard, the playmaking of Harden, and a team that punishes mistakes. If the Raptors struggle to close out games against the Pacers, the Clippers will absolutely make them pay. But if Dick keeps crashing the boards like Dennis Rodman and Ingram keeps filling it up, Toronto might just have enough firepower to hang with the big boys.
