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Raptors-Pacers Preview

Jan 11, 2010 - 2:59 AM By MATT BECKER STATS Senior Writer

Toronto (19-18) at Indiana (11-25), 7:00 p.m. EDT

After going through a bit of an offensive funk, the Toronto Raptors are suddenly scoring with ease.

The Raptors appear to have a good chance of continuing their surge Monday night when they visit a defensively challenged Indiana Pacers team that they already overpowered earlier this season.

Although Toronto (19-19) fell 114-107 to Boston on Sunday for its first loss in three games, the offense wasn't to blame. Chris Bosh had 31 points and 13 rebounds before fouling out and Andrea Bargnani scored 23 for the Raptors, who shot 48.1 percent from the field and made 8 of their 19 3-point attempts.

Toronto, which has won eight of 10, has scored at least 107 points in each of its last three games after reaching that mark just twice in its previous 13.

The Raptors' offensive turnaround has come against some of the best defensive teams in the league. Before becoming just the second team in 20 games to score 107 on the Celtics, Toronto was the first team in 11 games to score at least 105 against Orlando in Wednesday's 108-103 win.

The Pacers (11-25), meanwhile, have been quite susceptible on the defensive end lately, allowing at least 108 points in seven of their last nine.

"A team like that, they're going to run and get in the open court and play fast-break basketball and get quick shots," Bosh said of Indiana. "If we fall into playing their controlled-chaos style, they can get you out of your game. We just have to play solid basketball and play our style."

Indiana did little to slow down the Raptors seven weeks ago.

Toronto defeated the Pacers 123-112 on Nov. 24, falling one point shy of its season high while shooting 55.8 percent from the field. Jose Calderon led seven Raptors in double figures with 21 points on 8 of 11 shooting.

Indiana star Danny Granger had a season-high 36 points in that game, but he has looked rusty since returning from a heel injury.

In his second game after missing the previous 16, Granger led the Pacers with 25 points in Saturday's 108-102 loss to Oklahoma City, but he shot a season-worst 6 of 21 from the floor. He finished with 19 points on 7 of 19 shooting in Friday's 116-109 loss to Minnesota.

Indiana, which has lost 11 of 13, is getting closer to full strength after being awfully banged-up just a week ago.

In addition to Granger's return, Troy Murphy also came back Friday after missing the previous four games with a sprained left ankle. Murphy, who finished with 15 points and 15 rebounds Saturday, had 11 points, eight boards and five assists against the Raptors earlier this season.

The Pacers could have rookie Tyler Hansbrough, who is averaging 9.2 points and 5.1 rebounds, back for this contest. He has sat out seven straight games with an inner ear infection.

Although Indiana is struggling and its top players are working their way back into game shape, the Raptors know better than to look past them.

"They're always a dangerous team, especially at home," Bosh said.

Indiana, which is 8-9 at Conseco Fieldhouse, won its last home game 97-90 over Orlando on Tuesday.

The Raptors, who play four of their next five on the road, have won back-to-back road games after winning three of their previous 13 away from Toronto. They haven't won three consecutive road games since Dec. 11-18, 2007.