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Raptors at Indiana Pacers: Game 6 Preview and 3 Keys To Close Out

By Matthew Allman

Apr 21, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry (7) is guarded by Indiana Pacers guard George Hill (3) in the second half in game three of the first round of the 2016 NBA Playoffs at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Toronto defeated Indiana 101-85. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 21, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry (7) is guarded by Indiana Pacers guard George Hill (3) in the second half in game three of the first round of the 2016 NBA Playoffs at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Toronto defeated Indiana 101-85. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Toronto Raptors have an opportunity to close out the Indiana Pacers on the road and advance to the 2nd round of the playoffs for the 2nd time in franchise history.

For the second time in 3 years, the Toronto Raptors are up 3 games to 2 over their opponent. Last time it was the Brooklyn Nets who were light years ahead of Toronto in terms of experience. They won that game, and eventually the series. This time, the Raptors face the Indiana Pacers, a team who boasts a superstar talent of Paul George, and not much else after him. But the team does have postseason experience. But so do the Raptors.

Make no mistake, the Pacers are a highly skilled defensive team – ranked 3rd in the NBA – but that’s it. Player for player outside Paul George, Toronto boasts the better team. And in Game 5, in which the Raptors should have lost by all accounts, they proved why. When the Raptors are locked in offensively AND defensively, not many teams can stop them.

So all that being said, the Raptors close out the Indiana Pacers and advance to the 2nd round of the playoffs for the 1st in 15 years if:

  1. They play a full 48 minutes. There cannot be anything more frustrating than watching a good team struggle, and for two games straight, Toronto has struggled early. That cannot happen tonight! The Raptors need to come out strong and have solid contributions from everyone who gets playing time tonight. The team who scores 100 has won every game, and it must be the Raptors. Which brings me to…
  2. Lowry plays like All Star Lowry. DeMar DeRozan broke out of his slump in Game 5, scoring a new playoff career high 34 points at a 10/22 clip, and a personal series high 12/13 from the free throw line (he got there no more than 6 times a game before Game 5). Kyle Lowry MUST play like how he was to start the season. Indiana knows that Lowry can go off, but Toronto NEEDS him to go off.
  3. They shut down Paul George’s options. Paul George has been the best player in this series, no question. There’s only so much you can do to slow him down. Toronto took his best punch from him on Tuesday, and Indiana couldn’t capitalize. He will come out strong and he’s expecting his teammates to help him. Toronto must shut down all of Indiana’s role players and force Paul George to go it alone.

The moment is right now for the Raptors. Kyle Lowry said that they have to win Game 6, and he is correct. The game that’s played in Toronto should be Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semi Finals, NOT Game 7 of the First Round. Expect this game to be close. Expect a heated affair. Expect the Toronto Raptors to come out on top!
Final score Prediction: 100-95, Raptors over Pacers!

Let’s go!

Next: Raptors Show Heart And Toughness In Game 5 Win

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.

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