DeRozan scores 22 points as Raptors beat Pacers 116-91

Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) tries to get past Indiana Pacers forward Paul George (13) during first half NBA basketball action, in Toronto on Sunday, March 19, 2017. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn

Text:

Lori Ewing, The Canadian Press
Published Sunday, March 19, 2017 9:38PM EDT

TORONTO - DeMar DeRozan scored 22 points to lift the Toronto Raptors to a 116-91 victory over the Indiana Pacers on Sunday.

The Raptors (41-29) got a balanced contribution in their third win in six games. Serge Ibaka had 16 points, while Jonas Valanciunas had 11 points and 13 rebounds. DeMarre Carroll and Jakob Poeltl had 12 points apiece, and Cory Joseph and Norman Powell chipped in with 11 apiece.

Paul George led the Pacers (35-34) with 18 points.

The meeting was the first between the two teams since Toronto dispatched Indiana in seven games in last season's opening round of the playoffs. It also came a few nights after the Raptors' post-game meeting following their ugly 21-point rout by Oklahoma City on Thursday. They bounced back to beat the Pistons 87-75 the next night in Detroit.

They kept their proverbial foot on the accelerator Sunday, racing out to their biggest halftime lead - 17 points - since Jan. 15 versus New York.

Leading 91-73 heading into the fourth, the Raptors would stretch their advantage to 24 points on a three-pointer by Patrick Patterson with 6:05 left to play. With the game well in hand, Raptors coach Dwane Casey sat all his starters moments later.