On the brink of the elimination, the Pacers were the aggressors. They weren’t ready to have this season come to a close. In their building, they used an 18-0 second-half run take a comfortable lead, a lead that they would hold on to Friday night in a 101-83 victory.
At the Buzzer: R1 G6 — Pacers 101, Raptors 83
VIDEO: Rodney Stuckey completely fakes out Corey Joseph
Pacers move past memorable loss and now are 48 minutes away from clinching the series
This is what was said afterwards:
Pacers coach Frank Vogel:
On the difference in the second half…
I think our defense. We got our rebounding under control. We played the bigger lineup a little longer than usual, even when they went small we didn’t match it. We stayed big to make sure we could still control the glass as long as we weren’t being hurt on the perimeter. And we executed better on the offensive end. We screened better, we spaced better, we moved the ball better.
On getting contributions from everyone…
That’s what we talked about all along. Paul George can’t beat the Raptors. The Pacers have to beat the Raptors. We need everybody and we got really solid contributions from almost everybody that played.
On having Rodney Stuckey redeem himself after his Game 5 performance…
I know he was very disappointed in how he played last game and took some heat for it that I think was unfair. He’s been good for us all year. Happy to see him respond.
On writing “48” on the dry-erase board…
We got to understand, when you’re up — and we put the blueprint on the board — every time we lose a lead this year, what’s going to happen when you’re up big. How do you hold a lead? The opposing coach is going to change the game, you’re going to face more pressure, they’re going to shoot more 3s, they’re going to try to quick shoot more and get to the free throw line, and they’re going to try to force turnovers. So we know how to hold leads, I just wanted to remind our guys that we hadn’t done anything yet through, whatever it was — 39 or 40 minutes.
On if felt rewarded for now wavering in the faith of his players…
Yeah, but I’m a reasonable guy. If a guy needs to be gone away from or we need to shrink the rotation, we do it. I hadn’t felt like it was warranted. I always try to pull the right strings with the right people to get the job done. It doesn’t always work out.
On Game 7…
We’re both different looking teams than when we started the series. We kind of understand every move they can make, they understand every move we can make and it’s going to be about will and execution.
On keeping his belief in this team…
I believe we can play with this team. I have great respect for them but I really believe we’re just hitting our stride at the right time, playing our best basketball of the season when it matters. It’s just one of those things, you just got to continue to believe in who you are and believe that you can get the job done. We proved that through three quarters in Game 5 so that’s why I was confident going into tonight’s game.
On what they can draw from in their experience in Game 7s…
All experience matters and helps. I’m actually really happy that Myles Turner, in his first playoff run, gets to play in a Game 7. That’s great for him and he’s going to do well. That kids a gamer. He was terrific tonight and our guys have been there. Their guys have been there. It’s going to be a battle.
On Solomon Hill’s play…
He’s played terrifically. It’s tough to be plus-32 in 24 minutes. Going to him more down the stretch in this season has, to me, optimized this team’s ability. Us playing our best basketball is a lot centered around his versatility and the way he’s been playing.
![Paul George once again led all scorers, 21 points — including 10-of-10 at the foul line. [Frank McGrath/PS&E]](https://i0.wp.com/www.vigilantsports.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Paul-George-finished-over-Corey-Joseph.jpg?resize=256%2C303)
Paul George once again led all scorers, 21 points — including 10-of-10 at the foul line. [Frank McGrath/PS&E]
Paul George:
On his performance…
My job tonight was just to be the threat, put pressure on them. I tried to pick them apart with passes, move the ball, try to get them to shift their defense a little bit and my teammates — they were the ones that really did the damage tonight.
On their second half…
We just had a fight in us. As a group collectively, we knew that this could have been the end of our season. We just did a great job of battling.
On starting the second and fourth quarters…
It’s tough sometimes when you put a cold group out there, five cold guys. And then sometimes the opposing team has guys that had been playing and are warmed up already. It’s hard to catch a rhythm for those five guys that are fresh out there so tonight we did a great job of having someone that’s a starter that’s been out there for a little bit, that’s already been in the game.
On Game 7…
Really looking forward to it. Like Game 1, we have to impose our will early.
I think in this situation, the pressure is on both teams. It’s the final game, it’s win or go home. There’s pressure on both teams to come out with a win. It is an added pressure on them, being at home and the [franchise’s] trouble getting out of the first round. It comes down to who wants it and we feel good about it.
Ian Mahinmi:
On what changed in the second half…
We came in at halftime and weren’t really happy about the 50-50 balls. We felt like they beat us to some of the loose balls and that’s usually what we’re good at. We corrected that and had a strong second half.
On getting a complete team effort…
We were looking for a game like that the whole series. We were looking for the starting five to get going at the same time and then the bench to come in and get going. I’m glad it came at the biggest time of the year for us. Now is not the time to be too happy about it.
Solomon Hill:
On Rodney Stuckey bouncing back…
It was great. Stuckey knows he’s going to be on the floor because of the type of defense he plays. For him to go out there and shoot like he did, it’s always great. I keep telling him, “Shoot your shot.” When you get it, take your shot.
On Game 7…
That’s what you dream about. When you’re a little kid and you are watching it on TV, and your on the playground and out in the front yard playing basketball, you dream of moments like this. We have to leave it all out there. It’s no more if, ands, or buts.
On being a spark off the bench…
Sitting and watching the game is a lot different than playing last year. You can never get too comfortable, so when I’m out there I try to take full advantage of any possible situation.
On moving on from their Game 5 loss…
When you think about being up 15 and only having nine points in the fourth quarter, we knew we played some good basketball. We just had to execute better in the fourth quarter. Paul (George) told us again tonight, ‘The game’s not over. We got 48 minutes. We got a long way to play. It’s not over until that buzzer goes off so we have to keep playing the same style of basketball and no let ups.
On his 3-point shooting…
Just believing in myself. I have no reason not to. I’ve missed enough where it’s just like, if I’m going to shoot it I may as well do it confidently. I think I put in enough work for it to pay off for me. You put in hours and hours and hours in the gym and you got out there and you’re overthinking it, you’re going to miss. I think it’s more mental than practicing those shots.
Myles Turner:
On the balanced scoring…
It’s very important. Paul (George) can’t score 39 points every game, although I’m sure he could if he had to. But teams are keying in on him.
On changes he’s had to make offensively…
Teams are starting to key in on my pick-and-roll and pick-and-pop game, so I have to do something different and find some space.
On the game atmosphere…
This was one of the most exciting games I’ve ever played in. I know it feels like I say that every game, but the crowd was into it from the beginning and it was an exciting game. Although we got off to a rough start, we were able to come back. It was an incredible experience.
Raptors coach Dwane Casey:
On the Raptors’ defense in the third quarter…
Our compete level was low for whatever reason. I thought we let our lack of offensive execution, our shot making, carry over to the defensive end. This game was about will, who was going to impose their will on the other team and they got us in the third quarter.
On what he told his team…
I told the team we know we can compete better than what we did in the third quarter. That’s why you play 82 games to get home-court advantage. Let’s go back to Toronto.
On Kyle Lowry…
It’s up to me to help him try to get him easier shots. He’s been effective. He’s done other things for us defensively. Kyle is our motor, our engine. He can take care of the basketball, he can assist, he can defend, he can set the tone those ways in which he’s done in our three wins.
DeMarre Carroll
On what changed in the second half…
They came out and they ere the more aggressive team. We came out kind of lackadaisical. We weren’t playing like we did in the first half. We’ve got to learn from it.
On Game 7…
We’ve got to go back, we’ve got to feel confident and try to take care of it at home. We’ve got to be encouraged. We’re going back and playing in front of our home crowd so we’ve got to go out there and leave it all on the floor for four quarters.
Bismack Biyombo:
On the loss…
We just can’t have that. We’re playing for something and we all have to know what we’re here for and what it’s going to take for us to get it done. We just have to work. We’re going back home and we’re going to work, I can guarantee you that 100 percent.
On the difference in the second half…
We can’t just play two quarter and relax for two quarters. We led the game by (four) at the half and we can’t let that happen. We know what to do. Going back to Toronto, what we’ve got to do is do it for us as players, do it for our organization, and do it for our fans. That’s the bottom line.”