INJURY REPORT AT 5:30 SUNDAY
Indiana Pacers Bowen II, Brian Out G League – Two-Way
Mitrou-Long, Naz Out G League – Two-Way
Oladipo, Victor Out Injury/Illness – Back; Sore lower
Sumner, Edmond Out Injury/Illness – Left Hip; Sore
Toronto Raptors Brissett, Oshae Available – Gasol, Marc Out Injury/Illness – Left Hamstring; Strain
Hernandez, Dewan Out Injury/Illness – Right Ankle; Sprain
McCaw, Patrick Out Injury/Illness – Illness; Flu-like symptoms
Powell, Norman Out Injury/Illness – Left Finger; Fourth – metacarpal fracture
Watson, Paul Available
RAPTORS NOTES
• The Toronto Raptors continue a four-game homestand (Feb. 21-28) Sunday night when they host the Indiana Pacers at Scotiabank Arena. This is the third game between the two teams this month and the fourth and final meeting of the season. Kyle Lowry is averaging 26.0 points and 10.0 assists in three games against the Pacers this season. With a victory, Toronto would capture the season-series with Indiana for the sixth consecutive year. Since the start of the 2014-15 campaign, the Raptors are 15-5 vs. the Pacers.
• With Friday night’s win over Phoenix, the Raptors have now won eight in a row at Scotiabank Arena. It’s their second longest home winning streak of the season. Toronto opened the 2019-20 campaign with nine straight victories at Scotiabank Arena. Over the last eight home games, Toronto is averaging 124.9 points and is shooting .520 (368-708) form the field, including .417 (121-290) from three-point distance.
• Kyle Lowry is one game shy of tying Morris Peterson (542) for second on the Raptors’ all-time games played list. DeMar DeRozan is the franchise leader with 675 appearances in a Raptors uniform.
• The Raptors have finished with a winning record each of the past 22 calendar months (February 2017 – February 2020) after guaranteeing a winning month with Friday night’s victory. The streak is the longest in franchise history and the longest current streak in the NBA. The last month in which Toronto did not have a winning record was January 2017 (8–9). Toronto is 6-1 this month.
• Kyle Lowry recorded his career-high fifth straight double-double (Feb. 5-21) with 13 points and 10 assists Friday night against the Suns. Over his last five games, Lowry is averaging 17.0 points and 11.0 assists. Lowry now has 12 double-doubles this season – second most on the team behind only Serge Ibaka (15).
• Phoenix shot .176 (6-for-34) from three-point range Friday night, its lowest mark of the season. Pascal Siakam’s five three-pointers were just one fewer than the six the Suns managed on 34 attempts. The Raptors currently lead the NBA in opponent three-point percentage (.336). Opponents are averaging 38.5 three -point attempts against Toronto this season, second-most in the league behind only Milwaukee (38.8).
• The Raptors outscored Phoenix 30-17 on the fast-break Friday night. Toronto ranks first in the NBA in fast break points per game (18.9). Pascal Siakam sits fifth among all players averaging 4.2 fast break points, while Fred VanVleet is 12th at 3.5 fast-break points per game.
• Pascal Siakam is averaging career highs of 23.8 points and 7.6 rebounds through 45 games this season. Only two players in Raptors history have finished a season averaging at least 23.0 points and 7.0 rebounds: Chris Bosh in 2009–10 (24.0, 10.8) and Kawhi Leonard in 2018–19 (26.6, 7.3).
• Terence Davis ll is one of just two rookies in the NBA who has played in all games for their team this season, along with Coby White (Chicago). Two rookies have played in every game of a season for the Raptors: Vince Carter in 1998–99 (lockout-shortened 50-game season) and Matt Bonner (2004–05).
• Toronto’s 41-15 record after 56 games is the best in franchise history. The Raptors have won at least 51 games each of the previous four seasons (2015-19) after not reaching 50 wins in any of their first 20 seasons in the NBA.
PROBABLE STARTERS
G – OG ANUNOBY #3
MIN: 29.3 REB: 5.4 AST: 1.5 STL: 1.2 TO: 1.3 BLK: 0.7 PTS: 10.3
• Recorded 12 points and five rebounds and matched a career high with four blocks Feb. 21 vs. Phoenix. • Toronto is 22-4 this season when Anunoby scores 10 or more points. • Averaging a career-high 10.3 points and shooting a career-best .500 from the field this season.
F – PASCAL SIAKAM #43
MIN: 35.0 REB: 7.6 AST: 3.4 STL: 1.0 TO: 2.4 BLK: 0.9 PTS: 23.8
• Finished with game highs of 37 points and 12 rebounds in 38 minutes of action Feb. 21 vs. Phoenix • Ranks 15th in the NBA in scoring (23.8); averaging 24.5 points over the last six games (Feb. 5-21). • Has scored 30+ points 14 times; had five 30-point performances in 80 games played last season.
C – SERGE IBAKA #9
MIN: 27.2 REB: 8.0 AST: 1.3 STL: 0.5 TO: 2.0 BLK: 0.8 PTS: 16.1
• Recorded 16 points, six rebounds and one block in 26 minutes of play Feb. 21 vs. Phoenix. • Averaging 19.0 points, 8.7 rebounds and 31.7 minutes in 22 games as a starter this season. • First player in NBA history with 500+ three-point field goals and 1,500+ blocks.
G – KYLE LOWRY #7
MIN: 36.4 REB: 4.8 AST: 7.7 STL: 1.2 TO: 3.0 BLK: 0.4 PTS: 19.5
• Posted his fifth straight double-double with 13 points and 10 assists in 34 minutes Feb. 21 vs. Phoenix. • Passed Vince Carter (9,420) for third on the franchise’s all-time scoring list Feb. 7 at Indiana. • Ranks eighth in the NBA in assists per game (7.7); has dished out 10+ assists 12 times.
G – FRED VANVLEET #23
MIN: 36.0 REB: 3.8 AST: 6.8 STL: 1.9 TO: 2.3 BLK: 0.3 PTS: 17.9
• Finished with 14 points, seven assists, seven rebounds and two steals in 36 minutes Feb. 21 vs. Phoenix. • Ranks fourth in the NBA in steals per game (1.91); has registered multiple steals in 23 games. • Has more assists than turnovers in all but two games – leads the team with a 2.95 assists to turnover ratio.
INJURY REPORT Marc Gasol (Left hamstring; tightness) – Out Dewan Hernandez (Right ankle; sprain) – Out Patrick McCaw (Flu-like symptoms) – Doubtful Norman Powell (Left hand; fourth metacarpal – fracture) – Out
Opponent: Indiana Pacers Date: Sunday, February 23 Tip-Off: 6 p.m. (ET) Venue: Scotiabank Arena Television: Sportsnet One Radio: TSN 1050 Toronto
SERIES RECAP VS. INDIANA
OVERALL HOME ROAD
2019-20 2-1 1-0 1-1
ALL-TIME 42-49 28-18 14-31
STREAKS Won 2 Won 12 Won 1
LAST WIN: February 7, 2020 (115-106)
LAST HOME WIN: February 5, 2020 (119-118)
LARGEST MARGIN OF VICTORY: +25, March 19, 2017
LARGEST MARGIN OF DEFEAT: -29, April 8, 2009
LAST TIME VS. INDIANA
GAME 52 – FEBRUARY 7, 2020 TORONTO 115, INDIANA 106
INDIANAPOLIS — Two days after rallying from a 19-point deficit to extend their franchise-record winning streak, the short-handed Raptors beat Indiana 115-106 for their 13th consecutive victory … Toronto has been winning without Marc Gasol and Norman Powell, two key players who are injured … Kyle Lowry missed the final 14 and a half minutes with a whiplash injury … The Raptors beat the Pacers for the second time in three days and head home with their 10th consecutive road victory … Serge Ibaka scored 22 points and grabbed 10 rebounds … Fred VanVleet added 20 points and seven assists for Toronto, which hasn’t lost since Jan. 15 … Lowry finished with 16 points and 11 assists, his ninth double-double of the season … Domantas Sabonis finished with 19 points and 16 rebounds to lead the Pacers, and Victor Oladipo added 15 points and four assists in his first home start since returning from an injured right knee … Indiana has lost a season-high four in a row … Toronto had a 12-3 run in the third quarter which contributed to an 87-78 lead … When Lowry left with 2:42 to go in the third, the Pacers closed out the quarter with five straight points, cutting the deficit to four … The Pacers got as close as 101-99 with 6:47 left before Terence Davis scored seven points in a 12-4 spurt that gave Toronto a 113-103 lead with 1:48 to go.
1 2 3 4 TOT
TORONTO 36 28 23 28 115
INDIANA 31 32 20 23 106
INDIANA PACERS (33-23) at TORONTO RAPTORS (41-15) Game #57 | Road Game #28 Sunday, February 23, 2020 | 6:00 P.M. (ET) Scotiabank Arena | Toronto, ON
PROBABLE STARTERS
Pos. No. Player Ht. wt. Notes
Forward 1 T.J.Warren 6-8 215
2019-20 Averages: 18.7 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 1.4 apg, 1.2 spg, .529 FG%, .373 3FG%, .803 FT%
Last Game: 27 points (10-21 FG, 2-5 3FG, 5-5 FT), eight rebounds, three assists, two steals Currently leads the team in scoring average, and has scored 20 or more points 26 times this season….Ranks 16th in the NBA in field goal percentage (.529) …Finished with 36 points during the road win at Charlotte, 1/6, the second-highest total of his NBA career and the most by any Pacers player this season.
Forward 11 Domantas Sabonis 6-11 250
2019-20 Averages: 18.4 ppg, 12.5 rpg, 4.8 apg, .540 FG%, .224 3FG%, .729 FT%
Last Game: 24 points (8-16 FG, 8-10 FT), 13 rebounds, three assists, two steals Currently ranks fifth in the NBA in rebounding average and third with 42 double-doubles on the season, passing his career high set last season (30)…Recorded his 19th double-double of the season with 18 points and a career-high 22 rebounds against the Clippers, 12/9..His 22 rebounds was the most by any Pacers player since 1993…Recorded his first four NBA triple-doubles this season, becoming the third Pacers player in team history with at least four in one season.
Center 33 Myles Turner 6-11 255
2019-20 Averages: 11.8 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 1.2 apg, 1.9 bpg, .450 FG%, .342 3FG%, .760 FT%
Last Game: Eight points (3-7 FG, 1-4 3FG), eight rebounds, one steal, one block Ranks fourth in the NBA this season in blocks (1.93 per game)…Posted his fourth double-double of the year and set season highs with 27 points and 14 rebounds in the road win at Chicago, 1/10…Led the NBA and tied for third in Pacers franchise history with 199 blocked shots in 2018-19…Also became the first Pacers player since Jermaine O’Neal in 2000-01 to lead the NBA in blocks.
Guard 4 Victor Oladipo 6-4 210
2019-20 Averages: 10.8 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 2.6 apg, .323 FG%, .250 3FG%, .765 FT%
Last Game: Eight points (3-8 FG, 1-3 3FG, 1-2 FT), three rebounds, one assist Has started in each of his last five appearances, scoring in double figures four times for an average of 12.2 points per game…Made his season debut against Chicago, 1/29, played his first game since Jan. 23, 2019, and made the game-tying 3-pointer with 10.3 seconds remaining to force overtime in the win over the Bulls.
Guard 7 Malcolm Brogdon 6-5 230
2019-20 Averages: 16.5 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 7.3 apg, .435 FG%, .315 3FG%, .902 FT%
Last Game: 11 points (4-14 FG, 0-5 3FG, 3-4 FT), eight rebounds, six assists, one steal Ranks fifth in the NBA in free throw percentage this season (.902)…Ranks 10th in the NBA in assists, and is averaging career highs in points, rebounds, asissts and steals…Has posted nine double-doubles on the season, including four straight to begin the regular season. He had only recorded four double-doubles over his first three NBA seasons entering this year.
Injury Report
Victor Oladipo ……..Sore lower back ……………………..Questionable
Edmond Sumner .Sore left hip …………………………….Questionable
BROGDON’S FREE THROW STREAK Malcolm Brogdon ranks fifth in the NBA in free throw percentage at 90.2 percent on the season. Brogdon made 44 straight free throw attempts from the third quarter against the Pistons on Oct. 23 until his first attempt against Utah on Nov. 27. His streak placed him fifth in Pacers NBA franchise history for most consecutive free throws made: Player Consecutive FT Made Dates 1. Danny Granger 65 Jan. 21-Feb. 22, 2008 2. Reggie Miller 61 Feb. 5-March 13, 2005 3. Reggie Miller 60 March 18-April 6, 2005 4. Reggie Miller 52 March 5-18, 1991 5. Malcolm Brogdon 44 Oct. 23-Nov. 27 Brogdon set career highs in free throws made and attempts as he made all 15 of his foul shots in Indiana’s home win over Boston, 12/11. He became only the eighth player in NBA franchise history to make all of his free throw attempts while shooting at least 15. Player FTM-FTA Date 1. Danny Granger 17-17 vs. Golden State, 12/17/08 Billy Knight 17-17 vs. Philadelphia, 3/15/83 3. Danny Granger 16-16 vs. Golden State, 3/1/11 4. Malcolm Brogdon 15-15 vs. Boston, 12/11/19 Jalen Rose 15-15 vs. Utah, 12/22/00 Reggie Miller 15-15 vs. Orlando, 4/2/94 Reggie Miller 15-15 vs. Denver, 1/12/94 Clark Kellogg 15-15 at Seattle, 1/5/93
Holiday Season Aaron and Justin Holiday brothers became the seventh pair of brothers to play in a game for the same team in NBA history as they took the floor on Opening Night against Detroit. There have now been 10 sets of brothers as Giannis and Thanasis Antetotkounmpo and Brook and Robin Lopez have suited up together for the Milwaukee Bucks, and Cody and Caleb Martin have played together for the Charlotte Hornets. During the Pacers’ road victory at Brooklyn on Nov. 18, Aaron Holiday posted his first NBA doubledouble and new career highs with 24 points and 13 assists. His older brother, Justin, scored a 20 points on 6-for-11 shooting. The Holidays became the first pair of brothers on the same team to each score 20+ points in the same game in NBA history. Additionally, the two combined for eight 3-pointers, making four apiece, which was the most by a pair of brothers in NBA history. Aaron Holiday followed that performance by capping his 13-point outing with the go-ahead 3-pointer with 8.7 seconds remaining to lift Indiana to a home win over Orlando, 11/23. During the Pacers’ road game at New Orleans on Dec. 28, Aaron and Justin Holiday competed against their middle brother, Jrue. The three brothers all were on the court together for the first time during the third quarter, marking the first tieme in NBA history in which three brothers played at the same time during a regular season game.
NINE MEN IN The 2019-20 Indiana Pacers return eight players from last season’s team. After back-to-back seasons in which the Pacers posted a 48-34 record and finished as the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference, Indiana will feature nine new faces this season, including six players with at least three years of NBA experience. Of Indiana’s returning players, Myles Turner – who in his fifth season is also the longest-tenured Pacer on the roster – is the lone returning starter from last season’s playoff series against the Boston Celtics. Domantas Sabonis is expected to step into the starting lineup in the frontcourt along with Turner. Sabonis, who was a finalist for the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year award last season, set new career highs in nearly every statistical category in 2018-19 and set a new franchise record for the highest field goal percentage in a season as he shot 59.0 percent from the floor. Newcomers and projected starters Malcolm Brogdon, Jeremy Lamb and T.J. Warren all enjoyed career seasons with their respective clubs last season. Lamb averaged career highs with 15.3 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game for Charlotte last season. Warren played only 43 games for Phoenix, but averaged 19.0 points, 4.1 rebounds and set a career high by shooting 42.8 percent from 3-point range. Brogdon helped lead the Milwaukee Bucks to the Eastern Conference Finals, and became the eighth player in NBA history to shoot at least 50 percent from the field, 40 percent from 3-point range and 90 percent from the free throw line in the regular season. Other notable veteran additions include Justin Holiday (10.5 points, 3.9 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game for Chicago and Memphis last season), T.J. McConnell (6.4 points, 2.3 rebounds, 3.4 assists and a NBA-leading 1.1 steals per game off the bench for Philadelphia) two-way player Naz Mitrou-Long and JaKarr Sampson (20.0 points, 8.0 rebounds in four games for Chicago at the end of last season). The Pacers also feature two rookies on their roster. Goga Bitadze was the 18th selection in the 2019 NBA Draft. A 20-year old and native of the Republic of Georgia, Bitadze has played professionally since he was 16. He averaged 13.9 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game last season, and earned the Euroleague Rising Star Award, a prestigious honor previously awarded to current and former NBA players such as Luka Doncic, Alex Abrines, Bogdan Bogdanovic, Nikola Mirotic, Ricky Rubio, Rudy Fernandez, Andrea Bargnani and Danilo Gallinari. Brian Bowen II went undrafted, but signed a two-way contract on July 1. He competed with the Pacers’ Summer League team in Las Vegas in July and averaged 12.3 points, 6.7 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game while shooting 50 percent from the field, 50 percent from 3-point range and 10for-10 from the free throw line. He spent the regular season in Australia with the Sydney Kings in 2018-19 and averaged 6.3 points and 3.2 rebounds over 30 games played. New Indiana Pacers Players – 2019-20 Player 2018-19 Avg. Acquired Goga Bitadze 13.9 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 1.9 bpg 18th pick in the 2019 NBA Draft Brian Bowen 6.3 ppg, 3.2 rpg Signed as a free agent, 7/1 Malcolm Brogdon 15.6 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 3.2 aspg From Milwaukee, 7/7 Justin Holiday 10.5 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 1.8 apg, 1.5 spg Signed as a free agent, 7/31 Jeremy Lamb 10.5 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 1.8 apg, 1.5 spg Signed as a free agent, 7/6 T.J. McConnell 6.4 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 3.4 apg, 1.0 spg Signed as a free agent, 7/29.
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HOME COURT HEROES The Pacers secured a winning record on their home court in 30 consecutive seasons, which is the longest active streak in the NBA. Indiana currently holds a 19-9 record at home this season and has outscored its opponents by an average of 4.5 points per game. Opponents are shooting 44.8 percent from the field and 32.8 percent from 3-point range for an average of 106.4 points per game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The Pacers allowed the fewest points per game at home in the NBA in 2018-19 while holding opponents to 100.9 points per game on 43.8 percent shooting (first in the league). The NBA record for the most consecutive seasons with a winning record at home is held by the Phoenix Suns, who posted 34 straight winning seasons at home from 1969-2003. Since the building’s opening in 1999, the Pacers have posted a 558-277 (.669) record at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. In Indiana’s NBA history, the Pacers hold a 1,126-633 (.639) record at home, the 10th best winning percentage at home among active NBA franchises.
TURNER’S BLOCK PARTY Myles Turner led the NBA in blocked shots during the 2018-19 regular season with a career-high 2.69 rejections per game. Despite missing eight games due to injury, Turner led the NBA with 199 total blocks. He recorded at least one block in all but five games, and posted 11 games with five or more blocks. Turner became the first Pacers player since Jermaine O’Neal in 2000-01 to lead the NBA in blocked shots. Entering this season, only two players in franchise history averaged more than 2.5 blocks per game over an entire season (O’Neal, 2.8 in 2000-01 and 2.6 in 2006-07; Roy Hibbert, 2.6 in 2012-13).
The view from left field 