Raptors 98 - 103 Pacers
Final
  for this game

Pacers aim to end homestand on positive note vs. Raptors

Apr 9, 2012 - 3:02 PM (Sports Network) - Coming off their first loss of the month, the Indiana Pacers hope to end a three-game homestand on a more positive note when they welcome the Toronto Raptors to Bankers Life Fieldhouse.

The Pacers had won four in a row until dropping an 86-72 decision versus the Boston Celtics on Saturday. Indiana shot just 35 percent and its point total matched the season-low, as Danny Granger led the way with 20 points and David West added 16 in a losing cause.

"They played terrific defense, had good ball movement and shots that dropped. I couldn't look over my shoulder or do any of the things that I normally do," said the Pacers' Paul George, who finished with just two points.

Indiana, which was coming off a big win versus Western Conference power Oklahoma City, owns an 18-8 record at home and is seeded third in the Eastern Conference -- one-half game ahead of Atlanta and a game in front of Orlando.

After hosting the Raptors, the Pacers will head to Cleveland for the opener of a home-and-home series at Quicken Loans Arena.

Toronto has lost two in a row since winning three straight and suffered a 91-75 setback at the Thunder the last time out on Sunday.

Jose Calderon paced the Raptors with 19 points and six assists, while DeMar DeRozan scored 16 points and Aaron Gray grabbed 10 boards.

"They're a great team. We could play them 10 out of 10 times and the results probably wouldn't be different," Raptors coach Dwane Casey said of OKC.

Raptors top scorer Andrea Bargnani posted seven points before leaving the game with a calf injury. He is questionable for Monday and missed several games this season because of calf issues.

Toronto has lost eight of its last 13 games and is only 9-19 away from Air Canada Centre this season. It will head home after tonight's game to take on Philadelphia and Boston.

The Raptors will try to avoid being swept in the season series to Indiana and have lost the first two meetings between the clubs -- both up north. Indiana has won six of the past eight encounters with Toronto, losers of six straight as the visitor in this series.

Toronto's last win at Indy was a 102-98 victory on Feb. 25, 2008.






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