Barnes and Siakam battle as Raptors topple Pacers

"With yesterday's performance, Scottie Barnes passed Pascal Siakam for the fifth most double-doubles in Raptors' history. And I have an inkling Barnes knew that was a possibility. Every time these two match up they seem to turn it up a notch or two. Or in Barnes' case throughout this one, turning it up five notches as he propelled the Raptors to the win behind a monstrous third quarter. His dominance throughout the frame was the sole separator between victory and defeat."

"The Raptors made their first push when Sandro Mamukelashvili checked into the game, he came in and immediately stole the ball before drilling back-to-back threes off Ingram passes. After a Barnes missed floater, Siakam hit a rainbow shot over Ja'Kobe Walter to keep things close, 21-20 after the opening frame. The second quarter gave us our first glimpse at Trayce Jackson-Davis, and I'm not sure anyone has had as immediate of an impact as he did yesterday."

"After that the regularly scheduled programming resumed, Siakam hit a fadeaway jumper and Barnes responded with a hookshot. Siakam drove and Barnes fouled him, the call standing despite the challenge from head coach Darko Rajaković. After a Walter corner three, the Pacers hit back-to-back triples to pull within one before Shead bailed the Raptors out with a deep-range, late shot clock heave."

Scottie Barnes passed Pascal Siakam for the fifth-most double-doubles in franchise history and delivered a dominant third quarter that separated the teams and secured the Raptors' win. The game began with Brandon Ingram scoring over Johnny Furphy and Furphy answering with a slam. Both teams struggled to score early until Sandro Mamukelashvili checked in, stole the ball, and hit consecutive threes. Siakam responded with a long jumper to make it 21-20 after one. The second quarter featured an immediate impact from Trayce Jackson-Davis with hustle plays, offensive rebounds, and free throws. The quarter included a disputed foul on Siakam, Pacers three-point runs, and a late Shead deep shot.

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