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Raptors overcome 16-point deficit to beat Pacers in season opener

Xinhua, October 29, 2015 Adjust font size:

Toronto Raptors began their 2015-16 season with a 106-99 victory over Indiana Pacers in Wednesday night's NBA action.

Despite being down 41-25 late in the second quarter, Raptors managed to outscore Pacers 69-54 in the second half to erase the 16-point deficit.

"It's the first game, there's rust. I thought our offence was not physical in the first half," said Raptors head coach Dwane Casey following the victory. "We were driving in soft instead of playing with the physicality and force."

Raptors All-Stars DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry struggled in the first half by shooting a combined 4-18 from the field for 7 points each.

Coming out of the halftime intermission, the pair shot a combined 11-for-18 to finish the game with game-highs of 25 and 23 points respectively.

Center Jonas Valanciunas also chipped in with 21 points and 15 rebounds on 8-for-11 shooting.

Along with the second half effort, Casey was also content with the defensive intensity his team displayed throughout the game.

"I was pleased with our defense, we got stops when we needed to," said Casey.

Coming off back-to-back Atlantic division titles and a franchise-best 49 wins last season, Casey hopes the defensive minded roster assembled by General Manager Masai Ujiri will allow for a deep playoff run this season. Endi