Raptors answer bell, take 2-1 lead on Pacers

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The Toronto Raptors made a massive statement Thursday, asserting their will on the Indiana Pacers to take a 2-1 lead in the first-round series. Toronto’s suffocating defense was the story here, holding Indiana to 38 percent shooting and earning the No. 2 seed a 101-85 victory on the road.

When the Raptors were down 1-0 at the beginning of the week after being swept in the first round last year, ESPN’s Zach Lowe quoted an executive saying that Game 2 would be “the tightest-sphinctered game in Toronto basketball history.” That seems like many moons ago now, and judging by the shots of fans outside the Air Canada Centre, the city is feeling pretty loose.

Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan rebounded after a slow start to the series, looking a lot more like the two-time All-Star that he is. DeRozan didn’t have a great shooting night overall — he was 7 for 19 — but he comfortably and confidently scored 12 of his 21 points in the first quarter, setting the tone for the rest of the night. In a nice bit of symmetry, fellow All-Star guard Kyle Lowry scored 12 of his 21 points in the fourth quarter. Lowry also had eight assists, four rebounds and just two turnovers.

After failing to get to the free throw line Monday, the crafty DeRozan went 7 for 9 this time, doing his best work when forcing the Pacers into switches. Toronto didn’t win the free-throw battle as a team, but it again dominated on the inside thanks to Jonas …

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