Raptors Snap Losing Streak with Victory Over Pacers
TORONTO (AP) — The Toronto Raptors halted a seven-game losing streak with a decisive 130-119 win against the Indiana Pacers on Monday night at Scotiabank Arena. RJ Barrett led the charge with a season-high 39 points, while Jakob Poeltl added a dominant performance with 30 points and 15 rebounds for his third consecutive double-double.
Entering the game with the league’s worst record at 2-12, Toronto celebrated its first victory since defeating the Sacramento Kings in overtime on November 2. Barrett showcased his shooting prowess, connecting on 13 of 21 attempts from the field, including 4 of 8 from beyond the arc, and converted 9 of 12 free throws while also contributing nine rebounds.
Other Raptors also shined, with rookie Gradey Dick scoring 15 points and both Ochai Agbaji and Davion Mitchell adding 11 points each. All five Raptors starters reached double figures in scoring, exemplifying a robust team effort.
For the Pacers, Benedict Mathurin performed admirably, scoring 28 points with 17 coming in a strong fourth quarter effort. Pascal Siakam faced his former team, contributing 25 points and 10 rebounds. Indiana missed key player Myles Turner due to a sore right calf, which limited their inside presence. Tyrese Haliburton struggled with his shooting, finishing with 16 points but hitting only 5 of 18 attempts.
Despite committing 23 turnovers that resulted in 24 points for Indiana, the Raptors’ balanced offensive attack proved too much. Toronto looks to build on this victory as they prepare to host the Minnesota Timberwolves on Thursday, while the Pacers will visit the Houston Rockets on Wednesday.
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