Matt Tierney - Raptors.com
Toronto (45-21) tips off their second back-to-back of the week tonight in Indiana (36-31). The undermanned Raptors took care of business in Milwaukee Tuesday, while the Pacers secured a big home win over the No. 3 team in the East, Boston.
PLAYER TO WATCH
Jordan Hill – The Raptors have played Indiana twice this season and on both occasions were able to keep their key players, George and Ellis, relatively quiet. Reserve forward Hill gave Toronto problems, averaging a double-double of 14 points and 11 rebounds. Hill was especially impressive in their last meeting in Indiana, putting up 20 points and 13 rebounds, both tying season-highs.
Bismack Biyombo</strong – In the absence of starting centre Jonas Valanciunas, Biyombo responded Tuesday night by sparking a third quarter surge in a comfortable Raptors victory. The 23-year old finished the game with 12 points, 13 rebounds and two emphatic blocks on Jabari Parker dunk attempts in one possession. Biyombo is averaging eight points, nine rebounds and two blocks in two games versus the Pacers this season.
WE THE NORM
Following an impressive display against Milwaukee, the story of Norman Powell continues to be a win for the underdogs.
Selected with the 46th pick in the second round of last year’s NBA Draft, Powell has been on a mission to prove people wrong, especially the teams who decided to pass on him last June.
Rarely do second-round picks assert themselves as quickly as Powell has, or even at all, in an ultra competitive NBA. A combination of hard work and biding his time has landed the 24-year old opportunities to show the Raptors coaching staff what he can do.
With DeRozan resting Tuesday night, Powell replaced the All-Star shooting guard in the starting lineup and turned in his best performance in a Raptors uniform with a career-high 17 points in 35 minutes.
"I was just trying to be aggressive, play within the flow of the offence, and get to my spots on the floor like I do in practice that I work on with (coaches) Stackhouse and Jama every day,” said Powell after the game. He also mentioned a change in comfort level on the floor from early on in the season. “My first couple starts I was really nervous out there. Just not trying to shoot too much and just figuring out when to pass, when to drive.”
All-Star point guard Lowry was full of praise for the rookie. “I think he’s a very talented kid and tonight he showed what he can do.”
Lowry went on to attribute Powell’s strong play to his attention to detail off the court. “He’s just like a sponge right now. He takes it all in. Every little bit of information, he takes it in.”
Finding opportunities is never easy playing behind DeRozan, but the UCLA graduate has shown he’s willing to be patient, learn from his teammates and to be ready when his number’s called.
For an in-depth look on Powell’s impact so far with the Raptors, check out Holly MacKenzie’s feature piece here.