All-Star Scottie Barnes secured his fourth triple-double of the season and RJ Barrett contributed 24 points in the Toronto Raptors’ thrilling 130-122 victory over the Indiana Pacers. The youthful Raptors squad displayed hunger once again, extending their post-All-Star break record to an impressive 3-0.
The victory was accompanied by a balanced scoring effort, with seven Raptors reaching double figures. Barnes led the charge with 21 points, 12 rebounds, and 12 assists, showcasing his versatility on the court. Rookie Gradey Dick also made a significant impact with 18 points, including crucial 3-pointers down the stretch to seal the win.
Despite a stellar performance from Bennedict Mathurin, who matched his career high with 34 points for the Pacers, and a strong showing from Pascal Siakam against his former team, the Indiana Pacers struggled to find their rhythm. All-Star guard Tyrese Haliburton had an off-night, contributing just nine points and shooting 2 of 11 from the field, while the team as a whole shot only 46%.
Toronto held a narrow lead at halftime, but the Pacers rallied in the third quarter to make it a close contest. However, the Raptors responded with a decisive 11-0 run to regain control. Despite a brief surge from the Pacers in the fourth quarter, Toronto maintained their composure, with Dick’s clutch 3-pointer sparking a pivotal 10-2 run that sealed the victory.
In the end, the Raptors’ resilience and balanced performance proved too much for the Pacers to overcome, as Toronto celebrated another hard-fought win on their home court.
