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Two teams who are safely out of contention for an Eastern Conference playoff slot went against each other on Sunday at Air Canada Centre, with nothing to lose (besides the obvious) and everything to gain.  The teams in question were the host Toronto Raptors and the visiting Indiana Pacers.  This game marked the return of Danny Granger who was suffering from foot issues; the game was relatively competitive until the third quarter, when a 37-point effort enabled Toronto to rout Indiana 110-87.

Indiana held a 26-24 lead after the first quarter and opened up a 44-37 lead with 5:23 left in the half before Toronto rallied; a 3-pointer by Andrea Bargnani with 1:50 remaining in the second quarter put the Raptors in front as they went on a 14-3 run to end the half.  That would send the Raptors to their locker room with a 3-point lead at halftime.

Shawn Marion had a 10-point third quarter as the Raptors outscored the Pacers 37-19, taking a sizable 90-69 advantage into the fourth quarter.  They had no difficulties with the Pacers in the final 12 minutes as Toronto coasted the rest of the way.  The victory snapped a 7-game Raptors losing streak.

Toronto’s high scorer was Bargnani with 27 points (including three 3-pointers), 9 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals and a block while Pops Mensah-Bonsu added 21 with 8 rebounds; Jose Calderon and Chris Bosh pitched in 15 each – with Calderon grabbing 3 rebounds, dishing out 12 assists along with 2 steals while Bosh grabbed 13 rebounds, dished out an assist along with a steal.  Joey Graham grabbed 10 boards.

Indiana was led by Troy Murphy with 16 points, 10 rebounds, an assist, a steal and a block while T.J. Ford added 15 with a rebound, 6 assists and a steal; Danny Granger, in his first game back from a foot injury, logged in 18 minutes and scored 10 points.  Toronto (24-43) plays again on Monday when they travel to Charlotte to take on the Bobcats while Indiana (28-40) returns home to host the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday.