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Post-game grades: Raptors complete improbable comeback vs Indiana

By Jordan Skuse

TORONTO, ON- FEBRUARY 5 - Toronto Raptors center Serge Ibaka (9) pumps his fist as the Toronto Raptors beat the Indiana Pacers 119-118 to extend their winning streak to franchise record 12 games at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto. February 5, 2020. (Steve Russell/Toronto Star via Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON- FEBRUARY 5 - Toronto Raptors center Serge Ibaka (9) pumps his fist as the Toronto Raptors beat the Indiana Pacers 119-118 to extend their winning streak to franchise record 12 games at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto. February 5, 2020. (Steve Russell/Toronto Star via Getty Images) /
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Toronto Raptors Pascal Siakam and Serge Ibaka celebrate
TORONTO, ON- FEBRUARY 5 – Toronto Raptors center Serge Ibaka (9) is congratulated by Toronto Raptors forward Pascal Siakam (43) as the Toronto Raptors beat the Indiana Pacers 119-118 to extend their winning streak to franchise record 12 games at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto. February 5, 2020. (Steve Russell/Toronto Star via Getty Images) /

The Toronto Raptors trailed the Indiana Pacers by as many as 19 points. Led by Kyle Lowry (32 points) and Serge Ibaka (30 points), they fought back and wound up coming away with a 119-118 win.

First things first, last night’s win was Toronto’s 12th win in a row, a new franchise record. The last time the Raptors tasted defeat? January 12th.

After a hot start by Toronto, Indiana outscored the hosts 43-18 in the second quarter. The Pacers couldn’t miss a shot. They actually finished the game with a higher field goal percentage than Toronto – 52.4 to 50. Both teams finished with 43 made field goals, but the Raptors held the advantage from the free-throw line, finishing +8 in makes from the charity stripe.

Another area Toronto dominated in was transition offence, finishing with 31 fast-break points compared to Indiana’s seven. The Pacers, instead of running on offence, torched Toronto from three, finishing the game 19-39 from beyond the arc. Justin Holiday (22 points) matched Toronto’s entire bench output.

In the end, as they’ve done all season long, Kyle Lowry and Serge Ibaka refused to give up. The veteran duo combined for 62 points, including a season-high 30 point effort from Ibaka. We’ve known for some time how valuable Lowry is to Toronto’s success, but lately, Ibaka is showing why he too is a critical component to the champs’ repeat efforts.

Trailing by two, with 30.4 seconds left in the fourth quarter, the scarf-loving chef drilled a three-point shot to give Toronto a one-point lead that it would not relinquish. A frantic ending to a back-and-forth game, as the final buzzer sounded it really felt like Toronto had stolen one from the Pacers.

Malcolm Brogdon led Indiana with 23 points and made sure to remind everybody watching how good his left hand is. The Pacers guard was very impressive, albeit in a losing effort.

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