It was the last ditch effort to find a rotation that could bring some semblance of order.
Advertisement
After a horrid first three quarters, the Raptors started the fourth with a small lineup to expedite scoring. “One frame shy of being a tie game and going to overtime”. “They’re like your kids”. “It’s a great example that you can get better”, said Casey of Biyombo, who was born in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
For the Pacers end, forward Solomon Hill who hit a three-point shot just after the buzzer at the end of the fourth quarter, says they can beat the Raptors. Game 5 had a bit of everything – a brutal start, flashes of brilliance, frequent lulls, a stirring comeback and a nailbiting finish as the Raptors barely hung on for the win.
IN had looked the more polished side throughout the opening half, with George scoring 22 of his points in the first two quarters.
“A confident player”, Casey said.
But Toronto came roaring back in the fourth.
Drake did an excellent job of interjecting himself into the Toronto Raptors’ Game 5 victory over the Indiana Pacers.
A series full of frustrations were evaporated with a single shot. After a missed three by Ellis, Cory Joseph hit another three for Toronto, putting the Raptors up 98-92 with 3:26 left.
With the Raptors holding a three-point lead with less than 10 seconds to go, the Pacers had possession and an opportunity to tie the game.
And the impact of that win goes beyond just having a 3-2 series lead. But Lowry leaps into the pack and tips the rebound backward to DeRozan, who freezes it. “It may not show with the points or the stat sheet”, DeRozan said. “Once again, we failed to live up to that moment”, said Paul George, who finished with a game-high 39 points.
“It’s all about patience, you can’t get flustered, and you have to stay the course”, added DeRozan. Toronto took Game 5 with a huge run in the fourth quarter but Kyle Lowry continued to struggle shooting the ball and a breakout game from DeMar DeRozan still doesn’t balance out his frustrating performances in the first four games. “Guys don’t forget how to score”. “We had a decent lead, but I thought we could hold up”.
A dejected George was asked about the stat sheet afterwards.
Led by Bazemore, Atlanta ripped off a 28-8 run to take control before halftime.
If they are ever going to shake their playoff demons, the fourth quarter of Game 5 could be the starting point. Pacers All-Star Paul George was making his shots at will, and the Pacers had dominated the Raptors for the first 36 minutes of action Tuesday night. DeRozan had the second-most free throws in the National Basketball Association this season, at about eight per game, but is averaging fewer than five per game in the playoffs.
“It’s not about putting teammates down”, George said.
The Raptors saved themselves and their season with a comeback for the ages, then the Hawks found their stroke on Tuesday night in the NBA Playoffs.
Advertisement
If the Raptors have strong games from Lowry, DeRozan and center Jonas Valanciunas, the Raptors should be good to advance to the second round of the playoffs.
