Three takeaways from Indiana Pacers shorthanded win over Toronto Raptors
The Indiana Pacers closed out the pre-All-Star weekend portion of their schedule with a win over the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday night. It was a quality victory for the blue and gold, who finished their road trip with a 2-1 record.
Toronto should be a team that Indiana can take down, but this wasn't the usual Pacers. They were missing Myles Turner, Bennedict Mathurin, Jalen Smith, and Jarace Walker before playing a minute, and Aaron Nesmith got hurt in the third quarter and didn't return. It was an uphill battle for the Pacers
They were able to hold on with a skeleton crew, which included effective play from several reserves who have had up-and-down seasons. Indiana started a lineup that had not played together this campaign before, but they were able to hold on for a win.
"Just proud of the guys for staying with it," Pacers forward Pascal Siakam, who was playing in Toronto for the first time since being traded to Indiana, said postgame during an interview on the Bally Sports Indiana broadcast.
Indiana was wobbly at times during the game, but they finally figured out their defense late and made several timely buckets in the second half. They didn't play particularly well, but they were good enough to survive on a night in which they needed a victory — they suffered an ugly loss on Monday.
Because the Pacers got the result they wanted in a game that ended a road trip and their first portion of the season, their takeaways are largely positive.
Pascal Siakam got it done in Toronto
Siakam was playing in Toronto for the first time since being traded. There was a tribute video before the game, and an entire section of fans was wearing his uniform. It was going to be an emotional night for the veteran forward.
While it may not have been related at all, the 29-year old started slow. Siakam was 2/9 with eight points at halftime. He was passing well and getting to the line, so he wasn't useless. But he had room for improvement during his return game.
In the second half, he delivered. The new Pacer went 6/8 from the field and scored 15 points while tossing four assists. He improved on defense and was a +7. With 3:15 to go, he hit the shot that gave the blue and gold the lead for good, and he scored five of the team's final six points. He was clutch.
"We needed that win," Siakam said after the game. It had to feel good for him to pull out a victory in Toronto, and he got it done.
Indiana's reserve wings were huge
With Nesmith going down mid game and Mathurin sidelined, the Pacers needed a ton of help on the wing throughout the game. They got it.
Ben Sheppard, who has played sparingly throughout the season after being drafted 26th overall in 2023, was vital. His defense has been impressive all season, and he paired it with his best offensive game of the year. Sheppard had a career-high 10 points after making two crucial threes.
He also made the most important defensive play of the game, locking up RJ Barrett on the final defensive possession to secure the win.
Doug McDermott, who the team acquired last week, also was impressive. He scored 13 points — his first for the blue and gold this season — including three outside shots. His gravity was on display, and he added a rebound. The team won his minutes by three points.
It was important that the Pacers received effective play from their reserve wings, and they got it.
Aaron Nesmith goes down as injuries were a story
Nesmith, who has been one of the most important players for Indiana this season, went down with a shin injury early in the second half. It added to the long list of absences for the Pacers.
The team called Nesmith's injury a sore right shin, and they labeled him as questionable to return. He never hit the court again, though. With the All-Star break looming, keeping him out made sense even in a tight game.
But it added to the Pacers' limitations. They were down four of their top eight players in Nesmith, Mathurin, Turner, and Smith, which made the victory all the more impressive. They needed others to step up, and it happened.
Siakam was great, as was Tyrese Haliburton (21 points and 12 assists). The reserve wings filled in. Andrew Nembhard was terrific. Obi Toppin and Oscar Tshiebwe were effective. Indiana, despite numerous injuries, got it done.
They now have over a week off for the All-Star break and next play on February 22 when they host the Detroit Pistons.
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- Indiana Pacers hang on late against Toronto Raptors, enter All-Star break with a win. CLICK HERE.
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