Roy Hibbert was in top form as the Indiana Pacers (28-6) defeated the Toronto Raptors (16-17) despite a dismal fourth quarter, 86-79, on Tuesday night at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.
Raptors vs. Pacers final score: Roy Hibbert dominates and Indiana survives poor 4th quarter for 86-79 win
Two hot teams clashed Tuesday in Indianapolis. Roy Hibbert and the Pacers stuck to what they do best on defense to come away with the win.
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The Pacers cooled the hot Raptors literally and figuratively, handing them just their second loss in nine games as snow pounded the area and temperatures in Indianapolis dropped to sub-freezing levels.
Hibbert poured in a team-high 22 points, and added eight rebounds and three blocked shots. Lance Stephenson flirted with a triple double and posted a line of 13 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists
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Indiana won despite Toronto giving Indy a taste of its own medicine with stout defense down the stretch. The Raptors won the fourth quarter, 21-15.
The Raptors showed a lot of resolve in the fourth quarter. The Pacers led by as many as 17 points in the third quarter, but the Raptors were able to bring the game within reach. Indiana overcame the surge and improved to 17-1 at home.
Indiana used stifling defense to hold the Raptors to just 37 percent shooting from the field and 26 percent from the three-point line. They force nine turnovers, which led to six points. The Pacers had ball security issues of their own, with 16 giveaways.
DeMar DeRozan led the way for Toronto with a game-high 28 points, adding six assists. Patrick Patterson added 20 points and six rebounds in 32 minutes off the bench.
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