Game Rap: Raptors 106, Pacers 99

Holly MacKenzie - Raptors.com

Jonas Valanciunas hit two clutch free throws with 37 seconds remaining to put the Raptors ahead 102-97. Thanks to late-game heroics from DeRozan and made free throws down the stretch, the Raptors were able to hang on to complete the comeback 106-99 victory after trailing by 16 points in the first half.

After scoring just 37 points in the first half, Toronto exploded in the third, outscoring Indiana 35-23 behind a 10-point quarter from Kyle Lowry. The Raptors closed the quarter on an 11-2 run, kicked off by five points from Lowry and a Lowry assisted three-pointer by Patrick Patterson to turn a five-point deficit into a four-point advantage going into the fourth.

Luis Scola joined Kyle Lowry, DeMar DeRozan, DeMarre Carroll and Jonas Valanciunas in the starting lineup in the season opener against his former team. In two seasons with the Pacers, Scola averaged 8.5 points and 5.6 rebounds per game. He was scoreless on Wednesday night, but grabbed eight rebounds in 18 minutes.

DeRozan turned around a frustrating 0-for-6 start with a 10-point fourth quarter effort, including two huge buckets in crunch time to keep the Raptors in front of the Pacers. DeRozan finished with 25 points on 7-for-17 field goals to go with six assists and four rebounds.

Jonas Valanciunas was fantastic against the Pacers, scoring 21 points (8-for-11 field goals), to go with a game-high 15 rebounds and one block in 33 minutes. Valanciunas will be taking on a bigger role this season and he came up big when it mattered, making two free throws to extend the lead and then another to close out the scoring with 12 seconds remaining.

DeMarre Carroll seemed to be everywhere all at once on Wednesday night. Returning after briefly leaving the game with an elbow contusion in the first half, Carroll played a game-high 41 minutes in his Raptors debut, and — in addition to forcing Paul George into a 4-for-17 night from the floor — finished with 14 points, eight rebounds, four assists and two steals.

“We made a conscious effort to come out with more energy. We were playing at home in front of the home crowd and I really think our crowd brought us back into the game. Without our crowd I don't think we would have gotten back into the game. You know, that’s the Toronto Raptors fans, right?”- DeMarre Carroll on the third-quarter turnaround and the impact of the crowd

50… Rebounds for the Raptors who were able to outrebound the Pacers by 10.

21… Turnovers for Toronto compared to just 13 for Indiana. The Raptors registered more turnovers than assists (19), and will aim to get that number down as the roster continues to get comfortable with one another.

22… Second chance points for Toronto, compared to just 10 for Indiana.

“That’s exactly why he’s here. He brings that toughness and that defensive mindset with the things he’s able to do offensively, but his mindset is always to go out there and guard the best players, and he did a hell of a job tonight.” - DeMar DeRozan on the impact of DeMarre Carroll returning after a tough fall to put in a strong defensive performance

“Man, I thought I broke my elbow. One of my teammates always told me, when you do a hard fall, to get your breath because you don't want to hop up. If my arm was dangling, I probably would have fainted. I just laid there for a minute. I got a contusion, so it’s one of those things you’ve just got to keep icing. I can’t let one little elbow keep me out when I was playing on one leg in the Eastern Conference Finals.” - DeMarre Carroll on the elbow injury after the hard fall in the first half

“I’m happy for my young man. I’ve seen him grow from a little kid to, he’s got a full beard and everything now. He’s getting rebounds. That’s what he does. I’m happy for him and [hope he] continues to build on that.” - DeMar DeRozan on a big night for Jonas Valanciunas

“We definitely feed off of him. Once he gets it going we all understand we’ve got to follow behind him. Whether it’s a stop or cutting and getting somebody open, we’ve got to feed off that." - DeMar DeRozan on the team feeding off Kyle Lowry’ when he goes into attack mode.

“I will admit that we were nervous to start the game. Not knowing who we are and how we were going to play together. We settled down and started taking the shots that were there.” - Kyle Lowry on the energy the third quarter

“I could miss 100 in a row. When it comes down to the last shot all them guys trust me to take it and I’m still confident like I made 100 in a row taking that last shot. I’ve grown when it comes to situations like that feeling more comfortable. I was out there shooting free throws like Shaq so I’ve got to be better at that.” - DeMar DeRozan on coming through late after a rough first half

The Raptors will play their first road game of the season in Boston where they will take on former Raptor Amir Johnson and the Celtics on Friday night at 7:30 PM. ET.