Legends66NBA7
12-12-2014, 08:02 PM
http://www.nba.com/games/20141212/INDTOR/gameinfo.html
The Eastern Conference-leading Toronto Raptors let one get away against a fellow first-place club their last time out.
Their next handful of games shouldn't prove nearly as difficult.
Toronto tries to bounce back against the visiting Indiana Pacers, who hope to avoid their longest losing streak in five seasons Friday night.
The Raptors (16-6) led by 14 late in the third quarter and 10 with just under 8 minutes to go in the fourth before coming undone in Tuesday's 105-101 defeat at Cleveland, their second loss to the Cavaliers in five days. Toronto, averaging 26.2 points in the fourth quarter to rank among the league leaders, was limited to a season-low 13 over the final 12 minutes.
"I thought our guys battled, fought and controlled the game for most of the game, but we've got to close it out," coach Dwane Casey told the team's official website. "That's where we've got to get better.
"We had some crucial turnovers and rebounds that we didn't get at the end of the game. That's the name of the game. When you're playing playoff basketball and you're trying to be an elite team, you've got to be able to make those plays. Tonight we didn't."
Jonas Valanciunas had 18 points and a season-high 15 rebounds for the Raptors, who had won 39 in a row when leading after three quarters. Kyle Lowry had a season-best 14 assists and no turnovers but shot 6 of 18.
"It was just one of those nights, you have those in the NBA," said Lowry, averaging a career-best 20.1 points.
The Raptors would appear to have a good chance to regroup over their next six games, all of which come against teams with losing records. Toronto won two of the last three meetings against Indiana last season, with both wins coming at home behind a combined 42 points from Terrence Ross.
"They have weapons at every position," coach Frank Vogel told the Pacers' official website. "Their spread pick-and-roll attack off their bench I know is very strong. Lowry obviously is the head of the snake. Valanciunas grows every year. Ross is growing even more with (DeMar) DeRozan being out. They have tremendous firepower. It's the reason that they're best in the East."
The Pacers (7-15) have allowed an average of 104.3 points during their six-game skid. They also lost six in a row Oct. 31-Nov. 8, and haven't been handed seven consecutive defeats since an eight-game slide Dec. 18-30, 2009.
"I think our spirit's good," Vogel said. "I think we understand where we're at and still have a strong belief that we can have a really good season. We've just got to keep teaching, keep grinding, keep working."
Indiana couldn't keep up with the Clippers in Wednesday's 103-96 defeat. C.J. Miles had a season-high 30 points off the bench as the Pacers' starting five was outscored 73-30.
Indiana's starters are averaging 54.0 points to rank 28th in the NBA.
"Something's got to change for us to get off to better starts," Vogel said. "That group is struggling. It's not clicking."
David West is one of those players. The All-Star forward, who made his season debut Nov. 28 following an ankle injury, is averaging 11.6 points on 41.1 percent shooting -- down from his career marks of 15.8 and 49.0.
The Eastern Conference-leading Toronto Raptors let one get away against a fellow first-place club their last time out.
Their next handful of games shouldn't prove nearly as difficult.
Toronto tries to bounce back against the visiting Indiana Pacers, who hope to avoid their longest losing streak in five seasons Friday night.
The Raptors (16-6) led by 14 late in the third quarter and 10 with just under 8 minutes to go in the fourth before coming undone in Tuesday's 105-101 defeat at Cleveland, their second loss to the Cavaliers in five days. Toronto, averaging 26.2 points in the fourth quarter to rank among the league leaders, was limited to a season-low 13 over the final 12 minutes.
"I thought our guys battled, fought and controlled the game for most of the game, but we've got to close it out," coach Dwane Casey told the team's official website. "That's where we've got to get better.
"We had some crucial turnovers and rebounds that we didn't get at the end of the game. That's the name of the game. When you're playing playoff basketball and you're trying to be an elite team, you've got to be able to make those plays. Tonight we didn't."
Jonas Valanciunas had 18 points and a season-high 15 rebounds for the Raptors, who had won 39 in a row when leading after three quarters. Kyle Lowry had a season-best 14 assists and no turnovers but shot 6 of 18.
"It was just one of those nights, you have those in the NBA," said Lowry, averaging a career-best 20.1 points.
The Raptors would appear to have a good chance to regroup over their next six games, all of which come against teams with losing records. Toronto won two of the last three meetings against Indiana last season, with both wins coming at home behind a combined 42 points from Terrence Ross.
"They have weapons at every position," coach Frank Vogel told the Pacers' official website. "Their spread pick-and-roll attack off their bench I know is very strong. Lowry obviously is the head of the snake. Valanciunas grows every year. Ross is growing even more with (DeMar) DeRozan being out. They have tremendous firepower. It's the reason that they're best in the East."
The Pacers (7-15) have allowed an average of 104.3 points during their six-game skid. They also lost six in a row Oct. 31-Nov. 8, and haven't been handed seven consecutive defeats since an eight-game slide Dec. 18-30, 2009.
"I think our spirit's good," Vogel said. "I think we understand where we're at and still have a strong belief that we can have a really good season. We've just got to keep teaching, keep grinding, keep working."
Indiana couldn't keep up with the Clippers in Wednesday's 103-96 defeat. C.J. Miles had a season-high 30 points off the bench as the Pacers' starting five was outscored 73-30.
Indiana's starters are averaging 54.0 points to rank 28th in the NBA.
"Something's got to change for us to get off to better starts," Vogel said. "That group is struggling. It's not clicking."
David West is one of those players. The All-Star forward, who made his season debut Nov. 28 following an ankle injury, is averaging 11.6 points on 41.1 percent shooting -- down from his career marks of 15.8 and 49.0.