The Toronto Raptors were challenged going into Game 2 having dropped the first game of the series to Indiana. They responded by evening the series 1-1. They now head to Indiana without home court advantage and possibly something more.
With DeMar DeRozan struggling and Terrence Ross questionable for Game 3 in Indiana, the Toronto Raptors will look to accomplish something they’ve only done four times prior: win on the road in the post season. In spite of Monday’s win, Paul George was still able to score 28 points on 8 of 15 made field goals. That’s too high of a percentage if the Toronto expects to win the series, especially when the Pacers are focusing most of their attention on DeRozan.
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On the bright side, Kyle Lowry with able to have a more productive game with 18 points and 9 assists, while Jonas Valanciunas was simply a monster, going for 23 points and 15 rebounds. The bench mob of Cory Joseph, Patrick Patterson and rookie Norman Powell were also very solid, contributing to the 11 point Game 2 victory.
Indiana on the other hand, have a lot to think about. They came into the series focused on shutting down Lowry and DeRozan, believing that the supporting cast of the Raptors weren’t good enough to win against them. And while that line of thinking won them Game 1 of the series, it cost them Game 2 and provided a whole new element to deal with in the form of JV. Frank Vogel has a hard decision to make in regards to that matchup.
If the Raptors want to walk away with their 5th playoff road win in franchise history, they will need to:
- Make Valanciunas a superstar. There is no one, and I mean no one on the Pacers lineup who can lockdown JV once he gets going on the blocks or makes mid range jumpers with confidence. Add in his ability to hit free throws as a big man, and Vogel will need to consider double teaming him, allowing for a certain All Star to finally get loose…
- Make DeRozan a facilitator. 10 for 37 in two games. DeMar must turn this around and the easiest way for him to do that is to be a willing passer, setting up his teammate for good shots, force feeding JV until Indiana can prove they can stop him, which will eventually free him up for easier shots.
- Shut down Paul George! Easier said than done, but this Toronto squad had held George to a low shooting percentage during the regular season for all it’s worth. It will take a group effort, from DeMarre Carroll, Powell, Patterson or whoever else is on him during the game. If they can slow down George just enough, the game is theirs.
Prediction:
I expect the Raptors to be officially over the jitters of playing at home and come out guns blazing. The should be a mirror of sorts to Game 2, with the exception of DeRozan finding his shooting touch and George not letting the game slip away. Ultimately, it will be JV who puts the Raptors over the top as the Pacers have no answer for him as the Raptors should go up 2-1.
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All stats are provided by Basketball-Reference.com unless otherwise stated. Matthew Allman is a staff writer for Raptors Rapture. For more coverage on the Toronto Raptors, follow Matthew on Twitter @ShadowRapsFan and also follow @RaptorsRapture for the latest in Raptors news.