Could this be bad News for Raptors?;The Superstar is Back

Feb 14, 2024; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Indiana Pacers forward Pascal Siakam (43) drives to the basket against Toronto Raptors guard Immanuel Quickley (5) in the first half at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports

Pascal Siakam scored 23rap points in his return to Toronto, helping the Indiana Pacers earn a 127-125 victory over the Raptors on Wednesday night.

Siakam, who played seven-plus seasons with the Raptors, was traded to the Pacers on Jan. 17 in exchange for three players and three first-round draft picks.

Tyrese Haliburton had 21 points and 12 assists for the Pacers, who won for the fourth time in six games. Isaiah Jackson produced 15 points and 11 rebounds, and Obi Toppin also scored 15. Andrew Nembhard wound up with 14 points, Doug McDermott scored 13 and Ben Sheppard had 10.

Scottie Barnes finished with 29 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists for the Raptors, who took their third loss in a row. RJ Barrett added 23 points, Jakob Poeltl amassed 19 points and 11 rebounds, and Immanuel Quickley logged 14 points. Bruce Brown, acquired from Indiana as part of the Siakam trade, scored 12 points off the bench, and Chris Boucher had 10 points.

Toronto took a two-point lead into the fourth quarter.

Sheppard’s 3-pointer gave Indiana a one-point lead with 5:07 to play, and Siakam hit a jumper to bump the lead to three with 25.4 seconds left.

Poeltl made two free throws with 14.7 seconds remaining to cut Toronto’s deficit to one. Jackson made one of two foul shots with 9.8 seconds left for a two-point margin before Barrett missed a potential game-tying shot in the final second.

Barrett scored 12 points in the first quarter to help Toronto establish a 35-31 lead.

Gary Trent Jr.’s 13-footer gave the Raptors a 10-point lead with 5:58 left in the second quarter. The Pacers scored the next seven points. Barrett’s three-point play with 1:29 left increased the lead to eight.

Be the first to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.


*