Balanced scoring the key as Raptors stomp Pacers 110-101

Indiana Pacers forward Jermaine O’Neal (7) tries to make it to the basket past Toronto Raptors forwards Maceo Baston (9) and Chris Bosh (4) during the first half of the Indiana Pacers-Toronto Raptors game played Friday night. Toronto defeated Indiana 110-101.

Tonight’s game between the Indiana Pacers and Toronto Raptors didn’t stand out in any particular way. Both teams’ shooting perventages were just OK, both shot free throws very well and they didn’t turn the ball over very much. Something had to give, right? Only one thing I noticed that may have given Toronto the victory over Indiana 110-101.

That one particular was that despite Indiana outrebounding Toronto 47-35, the Raptors outhustled them. It also helped that they also shot 12-of-23 from the 3-point arc (53%). Indiana led 56-53 at the half, but Toronto went on a 13-4 run, capped by a 3-point play by point guard T.J. Ford that gave the Raptors a 67-60 lead with 6:47 left in the third quarter.

Guard Anthony Parker ended the 3rd period with a 70-foot lob, giving Toronto an 81-74 lead. Indiana initiated a run of their own, narrowing the Raptors’ lead to 101-98, with a jumper by Pacers PG Jamaal Tinsley with free throws by center Jeff Foster and Tinsley sprinkled in with 1:07 left in the game. But Raptors point guard Jose Calderon responded with a 3-pointer which gave Toronto a 104-98 lead with 48 seconds left which sealed the win.

Toronto had 6 players in double-digits, led by Chris Bosh with 22 points. Three Raptors - Parker, Ford and Calderon - all added 15 points each; Calderon dished out 10 assists. The aforementioned Tinsley and center Troy Murphy led Indiana with 20 points each. F Jermaine O’Neal had a nice effort, adding 14 points, 6 rebounds and 7 assists. Toronto (5-4) does not play again until Sunday afternoon, when they host the Golden State Warriors. Indiana (3-6), losers of 6 straight, will return home to host the Utah Jazz on Saturday night.