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Raptors hang on to edge Pacers

Nov 14, 2012 - 6:38 AM Indianapolis, IN (Sports Network) - The Toronto Raptors nearly blew another double-digit lead to the Indiana Pacers, but survived five potential game- tying or go-ahead shots in the final 22.9 seconds to come away with a 74-72 victory.

The Raptors, coming off a triple-overtime loss to the Jazz on Monday, played front-runner most of the night, then shot a pitiful 1-of-15 from the field in the fourth quarter.

The dreadful showing allowed the Pacers to pull within two points down the stretch, but David West, Paul George and George Hill all missed in the closing seconds to give Toronto its first road win of the season and second overall.

"We deserved to win this game," Raptors head coach Dwane Casey said.

Jose Calderon posted his first career triple-double with 13 points, 10 assists and 10 rebounds while DeMar DeRozan scored 15 points for the Raptors, who have blown four double-digits leads this season, including in its season opener against the Pacers.

Hill, the hero in that Oct. 31 contest with a late bucket, scored a game-high 18 points in defeat.

Indiana shot just 32 percent for the game, but almost clawed back from a 15- point deficit in the second half thanks to Toronto's cold streak.

Hill netted eight points in the fourth quarter, including two on a tough layup to pull within 71-68 with 3:54 remaining.

The Pacers missed their next four shots, however, and three Toronto free throws pushed the margin to six points with under two minutes to play.

A pair of George free throws followed by a Hill bucket made it a one- possession game. Amir Johnson missed a 3-point try from the top of the key to give the ball back to Indiana with under 40 seconds on the clock.

West missed twice in the paint, but tapped the second rebound back to George in the left corner. George was also off the mark but chased down the long carom and called timeout with 13.8 ticks left.

Hill drew iron out of the timeout, and again the rebound came back to George, whose 15-footer at the buzzer hit nothing but rim.

"We got good looks at the end but it was really frustrating that we couldn't get the ball to go down," Hill said.

Calderon and DeRozan combined to shoot 8-of-9 from the field in the first quarter for 18 total points as the Raptors jumped out to a 29-21 lead.

The Pacers scored 13 of the first 17 points of the game, but went cold the rest of the half. They were behind by as many as 14 in the second quarter and went into the break trailing, 46-36.

A free-throw filled third quarter ended with the Raptors in front, 69-58.

Game Notes

The Pacers had won four straight in the series and seven in a row at home ... Toronto's previous win in Indiana came on Feb. 25, 2008 ... The Pacers had 23 fastbreak points to Toronto's four ... George and West netted 12 and 11 points, respectively, but combined to shoot 23 percent (6-of-26) from the field.