The Pacers have done a terrific job in a series in which they were considered to be heavy underdogs. In Game 6 they ran the Raptors out of the building in Indiana. Now the pressure to get the win in Game 7 is all Toronto's, as they are not only the higher seed but have been upset in the first round twice in the past two years.
Pacers vs. Raptors, NBA playoffs 2016: Time, TV schedule and live stream
The Raptors need a win to exorcise the demons of past first round eliminations.
Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
The Raptors have to be anxious about another Game 7 at home in the first round. Another early exit while facing a lower seeded team would force the front office to reassess whether this core is good enough to keep together going forward. They need to advance or their season will rightfully be considered a failure. Their inability to beat inferior teams in the postseason will become a pattern if once again they fail to close a series.
In order to avoid reliving their biggest nightmare, they will need to get better performances from DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry. Their All-Star wing has only had one good game in a series in which Paul George has showed how big the talent gap between the two really is. DeRozan had only eight points on 13 shots in Game 6. Lowry wasn't much better, hitting just four of his 14 shots, but he did dish out 10 assists. Still, Toronto needs at least one of its backcourt players to provide scoring and both failed.
For the Pacers, there's nothing to lose. Another win would put them in the conference semifinals, a place few had them reaching. They are clearly a flawed team, but George and timely contributions from their other solid players have been enough to get them here. Regardless of whether they complete the upset or not, their year has to be considered a success, since they got their superstar back and playing at an elite level and have found a gem in Myles Turner.
The pressure of having to win the game could either help or hurt the Raptors. If they come out with urgency, they could close this series, put their struggles in the first round behind them, and get ready for Round 2. If they let fear erode their confidence, they could once again see their season end earlier than expected.
How to watch Raptors vs. Pacers Game 7
Place: Air Canada Centre
Time: 8 p.m. ET
TV: TNT
Streaming: Watch TNT
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