Following Tuesday’s dramatic Game 5 comeback at the Air Canada Centre, the Toronto Raptors have two chances to advance to the second round of the playoffs, but they need to get it done in Game 6 tonight in Indiana.
This team appeared dead in the water heading into the fourth quarter on Tuesday, tailing by 13 and staring at a 3-2 deficit heading on the road. With Paul George and George Hill getting some rest to start the final frame, Toronto started chipping away bit by bit, two points at a time until Norman Powell intercepted a pass intended for George, racing down court to throw down an breakaway dunk to tie the game.
A DeMar DeRozan three-pointer followed and Raptors were inexplicably in the lead, holding off the Pacers to steal a victory and take a lead into Game 6. And this is when they have to get it done because while having Game 7 at home is nice, this team should want no part of having to come home for a do-or-die game.
Toronto was in a similar position two years ago against the Brooklyn Nets – up 3-2 heading into Game 6, albeit without home court advantage – and lost both, painfully exiting the playoffs in the first round despite having two chances to get it done. That memory lingers and the need to exorcise those demons combined with playing in front of the loyal hometown crowd in a “Win or Go Home” situation is a scenario the Raptors should want to avoid because frankly, most people probably assume they would buckle under that kind of pressure.
Remember – as great as the comeback was, this team was down 15 after the first quarter and trailed by 13 on their home court heading into the fourth quarter of a 2-2 series against a team they shouldn’t be having this much trouble with in the opening round of the playoffs.
That’s why you want to get it done tonight in Indiana.
So how do the Raptors do it?
First and foremost, get Patrick Patterson out of the starting lineup. For whatever reason, “Two Pat” plays better when he’s coming off the bench, so keep him there. Bring him in as early as you want, but don’t have him on the floor for the opening tip.
Once the game is underway, get to the hole and make Indiana defend every trip. DeRozan had a big game Tuesday in part because he got to the free throw line 13 times, making a dozen, and that has to continue. His midrange game has been mediocre all series, but something good tends to happen when he’s going to the net and coach Dwane Casey needs to remind him of that before the opening tip.
They also need to get the ball to Jonas Valanciunas in the post because no matter who is guarding him, the Raptors big man has an edge down low. Whether he’s scoring or getting Ian Mahinmi and Myles Turner into foul trouble, JV needs to be getting looks down low early and often in this one.
Furthermore, staple Terrence Ross to the bench and give his minutes to Powell. The second-round draft choice has been the better wing option for the last eight weeks and was pivotal to the fourth quarter charge on Tuesday. Meanwhile, Ross was clanging treys. Powell is the more active defender and has a better feel for the flow of the game in the offensive end than his more senior counterpart and Casey needs to recognize that and shuffle his rotation accordingly.
They also need to just get after Paul George and roll the dice on one of the other Pacers beating them because honestly, the chances of one of the other guys going off for 25 and the rest of the crew scoring enough to beat the Raptors if they keep George in check (read 20 points or less) are slim. DeMarre Carroll was brought in for a reason and he and Powell need to be in smother mode non-stop, keeping “PG13” from getting loose and finding his rhythm early.
Toronto is a good defensive team when they’re not chasing the ball around the floor like they did through the first three quarters on Tuesday night. It doesn’t have to be a fourth quarter effort from start to finish, but something close would be nice.
If they do those things, they’ll be coming home to start the second round of the playoffs and not a tense Game 7 against the Pacers.
