DeRozan's 40 carry Raptors past Pacers
TORONTO -- DeMar DeRozan scored a game-high 40 points to lead the Toronto Raptors to a 111-100 win over the Indiana Pacers on Friday night at Air Canada Centre.
The Raptors guard added nine rebounds and four assists. For the 30th time this season, DeRozan registered at least 30 points in a game, tying Vince Carter's Raptors record (2000-01).
The Raptors (46-30), winners of seven of their last eight, kept pace with the Boston Celtics as Toronto chases a fourth consecutive Atlantic Division banner.
Jonas Valanciunas added 16 points and 17 rebounds and Serge Ibaka finished with 15 points and 12 rebounds for the Raptors.
The Pacers (37-39) have lost five of six as they cling to the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
Paul George led the Pacers with 28 points and nine rebounds. Jeff Teague chipped in with 19 points and five assists. C.J. Miles added 15 points off the bench.
DeRozan scored nine points in the first three minutes of the third quarter, including two 3s, as the Raptors opened an early seven-point lead. The three-time all-star finished with 16 points and four rebounds in the quarter as Toronto opened an 80-68 lead heading to the fourth.
For a second consecutive game, Valanciunas went off in the third quarter, registering a double-double with 12 points and 13 rebounds. The 13 rebounds is a Raptors franchise record for rebounds in a quarter.
George paced Indiana with 14 points and four rebounds in the first half as the Pacers led 48-46 at the break.
DeRozan had a game-high 16 points for the Raptors at the break and Wright added eight points off the bench as Toronto shot just 37 percent from the field.
After falling behind 9-2 after 2:30, Toronto rallied to lead 28-25 after one quarter. DeRozan led the Raptors with 14 points, four rebounds and three assists. George, Teague and Thaddeus Young all had six points each for the Pacers.
NOTES: G Lance Stephenson, who signed with Indiana on Thursday, is expected to join the team Sunday for a game against the Cleveland Cavaliers. ... Toronto recalled F Bruno Caboclo, F Pascal Siakam and G Fred VanVleet from the D-League Raptors 905. ... Indiana F Georges Niang was assigned to the D-League's Fort Wayne Mad Ants. ... The Raptors and Pacers meet for a third and final time on April 4 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indiana.