The Toronto Raptors won Game 2 of their first-round series against the Pacers Monday night in Toronto, 98-87, to even the series at 1-1.
At the Buzzer: R1 G2 — Raptors 98, Pacers 87
Paul George needing backup as series moves to Indy
This is what was said afterwards (via Raptors PR):
Pacers coach Frank Vogel:
On the difference in the game tonight…
They just made more plays, a lot of different ways. Their bench obviously had a strong impact. They dominated the paint and we didn’t get enough of an offensive rhythm in the second half but there are a lot of reasons.
On your starting frontcourt…
Well Lavoy (Allen) is a dirty work guy, he’s in there to rebound and defend and he does a good job with that. Ian’s (Mahinmi) back is bothering him some, he’s got a sprained lower back and he couldn’t return tonight so we’ll see how he is, he’ll be day-to-day. We have our hands full with their front court but our guys are up to the challenge.
On what the Raptors were doing defensively…
Playing great defence. You have to credit the job Coach Casey does. Their group is really tied together, really energetic, they protect the rim really well and they get out and try and guard their own man and they get to shooters on the weak side. You don’t win 56 games by accident, that’s a great defensive team we are playing against and we have to be razor sharp with our execution.
On feeling any satisfaction walking out of Toronto with a split…
Not right now. You come in as a road team you would be happy with a split but right now, no. I thought we had opportunities to take this game and we didn’t take advantage of it. We have to get back and refocus and win Game Three.
Paul George:
On the play of Jonas Valanciunas…
He’s been huge – literally. We’re doing a good job on Kyle (Lowry) and DeMar (DeRozan), but (Jonas) Valanciunas has stepped up. He’s the one that’s causing us problems right now and we have to figure it out. The playoffs are all about adjustments and we have to figure it out.
On his own play and how he is contributing…
I’m just making it easier for myself, not forcing it. I’m not going to have easy opportunities getting to the rim against this team. So I have to take the looks that I get and be confident with them.
On splitting the first two games of the series on the road…
I’m upset about this one. You usually feel good walking away from a road trip with the series tied at one, but I’m upset about this one because a lot of stuff that we gave up tonight was preventable. This game was setup the same way for us as Game One to rally back and win this game. I thought our focus was lost and we gave up some plays that we shouldn’t have.
Myles Turner:
How are you feeling after the awkward fall?
A little sore, it’s just a little numb. I’ll be able to take these two days to recover and be ready for Game Three.
What do you need to do to restore order in Game Three?
We’ve got to be sharper. It’s definitely a lot more physical than the regular season, the refs are letting a lot more go so we’ve got to be just as physical as he (Jonas Valanciunas) is, and lock in on that in Game Three.
On the pick and rolls from the Raptors…
I mean, overall we have to be sharper. We’ve got to pay more attention to our assignments and dial in.
On the Raptors improved play in Game Two…
Teams get better, day in and day out especially in the playoffs. They went in and watched film just like we’ve been doing so we’ve got to improve.
What kind of atmosphere do you expect at home for Game Three?
I know it’s going to be raucous. I’m certain our fans will bring it.
Monta Ellis:
What was the key to getting their lead down to four?
The key was just to continue to play. They hit us real hard at the beginning of the game but we fought back and were able to get it down to five at halftime and that was a great sign for us. The second half they just came out a little more determined, they made more plays when they needed to, and they got to all the loose balls.
On the play of Jonas Valanciunas…
The biggest thing is that the guards have to come back and help the bigs and try to not let them get behind us. Really just matching his energy, his toughness that he is playing with, and we’ll be alright.
Can you take some solace in knowing that you’re still creating struggles for (Kyle) Lowry and (DeMar) DeRozan?
The thing is we knew they were going to come back and play the way they did tonight. We got one on the road and now we’re going back home. We still feel confident in getting Game Three and we’ll make the proper adjustment to have a better outcome than we did tonight.
Raptors coach Dwane Casey:
What are you seeing when you see DeMar DeRozan play right now?
I don’t know if it’s tightness or what it is. I know his offence; he didn’t get to the line. He was number two or three in getting to the free throw line, so I don’t know if it’s frustration or what. But again, his teammates picked him up, (and) he’ll come around. You don’t forget how to play offensively, to attack the rim. I know the last couple of playoff series it took him a couple of games to get going, and again, not playing him in the fourth, I just liked the energy and defensive toughness that Norm (Powell) was bringing in his position.
How much of what Kyle Lowry did can’t be quantified by the box score?
That’s a great point. His numbers didn’t say how hard he played. I thought he left it out on the floor; diving on the floor, loose balls, rebounding, he got to the free throw line 10 times. He was really playing with force going downhill and that’s what it is going to be about. I don’t know if you can look at a guy’s stat line, and just tell some of the things he’s contributing. And definitely with Kyle, 4-for-13 isn’t a beautiful line, but, it doesn’t show his grit, his toughness. When he got switched onto Paul George, again, we didn’t double team him in certain situations, some situations we did because you give up something else to do that. I thought he and Norm (Powell) both did an excellent job.
On snapping the seven game streak…
It’s great. The seven game streak, it’s easy to sit here and see that. But again, the hard part is to see the growth in this program; where we’ve come, where we’re going, how we’re getting there, guys that have been here every day see that. And I think it’s really important to keep that in mind. Who wants to lose seven playoff games in a row? Nobody does. But again, it’s still basketball, we’ve got to go out there and play, not have the pressure of the world on our back. I think we proved it over the course of 82 games that we can play with some good teams; we’ve just got to go out and play. Not read the seven game stuff, but play basketball. Like I said it’s still five-on-five for 48 minutes.
Kyle Lowry:
How important was it for you guys to get this victory when DeMar (DeRozan) was not at his best?
It doesn’t matter if I’m at my best, he’s at his best, JV (Jonas Valanciunas) is at his best, or not at our best; a win is a win. That shows an All-Star right there. That man did not complain about not playing the fourth, he cheered us on and we got a win. All he cares about is us getting a win. That to me shows a great player. He doesn’t want any credit and he’s just happy that we got the win.
Another big game by Jonas Valanciunas, can you talk about his contribution?
Yeah, he’s playing well, he’s playing fantastic. He’s rolling hard, he’s rebounding the ball extremely well. When teams are trying to take myself and DeMar (DeRozan) out he’s got to have big games for us. He’s becoming a very intricate piece in our offence. When you give him the ball he can make plays. Getting to the free throw line and offensive rebounding, the way he’s been just rebounding overall, it really helps us.
On Paul George’s performance…
There is no stopping PG (Paul George) he’s playing phenomenal. We just have to make it a little more difficult, he’s getting to his spot too easily. Norm (Norman Powell) did a good job of being physical. DC (DeMarre Carroll) started off and we threw bodies at him tonight. I got him a few times, Cory (Joseph) had him a few times. We just have to throw bodies on him, keep fresh bodies on him and communicate. You’re not going to stop him from getting 25 or 30 (points), he’s going to get that, that’s how talented he is. With our defensive schemes, the way we draw them up in the coaches’ game plan for, we should be able to make it more difficult for him.
DeMar DeRozan:
Thoughts on the win…
It says a lot especially with the shooting struggles that me and Kyle (Lowry) have had these first two games. To come out and play like the way we did today it’s definitely scary. It shows you the potential we have. Once we get our rhythm it’s going to be a scary thing.
Thoughts on sitting in fourth quarter…
It’s funny that people think I feel a certain way that I didn’t go back in the fourth. A lot of time I tell the coaches to keep going with the group of guys that are in there, whoever is in there, keep rolling until the second runs off if need be.
Jonas Valancinus:
What can you say about the bench, specifically Cory Joseph?
Our bench was working, especially in that tough stretch in the third quarter. We needed that boost and they came in and they gave us the boost that we needed. All the bench and all the guys were working. We got that win as a group of players.
How high is your confidence right now?
I’m just doing my stuff. I’m going out there and battling, and nobody is going to take that away from me. I’m going to go and put my heart out and battle for every single ball, every possession.
With Kyle (Lowry) and DeMar (DeRozan) struggling do you feel it’s your responsibility to step up?
We’ve all got to step up. It’s not an individual sport. Some nights are tough for Kyle (Lowry), some tough for DeMar (DeRozan), some tough for me; everybody has tough times. So everybody has got to pull for each other. They’re great players. They get double teamed, sometimes triple teamed. They’re finding a way to succeed at passing the ball. Kyle was great, DeMar was great making plays. Maybe not making buckets but making plays, making open kick outs for open threes or rolls for dunks.
How satisfying is it to be such a crucial part of a winner?
As I said today, let’s not get too excited, it’s just Game 2. We’ve got at least three to go. So, I’ve got to keep it quiet, I’ve got to do the same thing and come with the same energy in Game 3. The job is not done yet.