| |
|
NBA -- Playoffs ghosts continue to haunt Raptors
By Mark Josef
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 17 Apr 2016
TORONTO -- When Kyle Lowry missed his first two free throws, it reminded Toronto Raptors fans of the painful first round playoff struggles the team has had the last two seasons.
The sad feeling was exacerbated by the fact that Indiana Pacers star Paul George was comfortably heaving 3-pointers from the half court line. The 6-foot-8 two-way guard looked loose, relaxed and ready to rumble.
As George's last warm up shot from the half court went in, he ran off the court to the boos of a few Raptor fans who came early in the arena. Right then, he raised both of his arms as if to coax the fans to give him some more. You can tell he was confident and he was ready for the competition ahead.
For the past two years it was Paul Pierce who thrived on the boos of the crowd and carried the Nets and the Wizards past the Raptors in the first round.
This year, it's another Paul. This time it's Paul George. George struggled in the first half, shooting 2 for 9 and logging only 6 points. But he rebounded in the second half and finished with 33 points as the Pacers stole Game 1, 100-90, on Sunday afternoon at the Air Canada Centre.
With the Pacers trailing at halftime, George sank a 3 that gave Indiana its first taste of the lead, 48-45. He would continue the onslaught and kept the Pacers on top after three quarters of action, 69-67.
The Pacers then held off Toronto for the win. The defeat was the Raptors' third straight Game 1 loss at the Air Canada Centre and their seventh consecutive postseason defeat.
Game 2 of this best-of-7 series resumes Monday night at the Air Canada Centre.
After sustaining a compound fracture while scrimmaging with Team USA in Las Vegas, George went through extensive rehabilitation and played the entirety of the 2015-16 season. He is clearly back in All-Star form.
"It means everything. To be out of the playoffs last year and not be able to help my team. That was a probably the biggest burden on me. Immediately after I got hurt, I thought I'm not going to be able to get this group to the playoffs. I told myself every year, I wanted to be in the playoffs, I don't want this team to go into the lottery," George told reporters after the game.
George further said, "That was a burden I had on my shoulders. That hurt more than the actual injury, was not getting this team to the playoffs."
Photo: NBA -- Playoffs ghosts continue to haunt Raptors.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Mark Josef.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
April 5: Unified Middleweight World Champion Janibek Alimkhanuly To Defend WBO & IBF World Titles Against Anauel Ngamissengue in Historic Kazakhstan Homecoming LIVE on ESPN+
, Thu, 06 Feb 2025Heavy hands, short night for undefeated Brooklyn Heavyweight Prospect Pryce Taylor Scored devastating 2nd round TKO in Flint
, Thu, 06 Feb 2025Three Lions Promotions wins Jack/Rozicki purse bid WBC World Cruiserweight Champion Badou Jack vs. Ryan Rozicki coming to Canada
, Thu, 06 Feb 2025World Boxing to hold Extraordinary Congress March 1st to approve new membership applications
, Thu, 06 Feb 2025Boxing Insider Promotions to bring upscale pro boxing club show back to Times Square
, Thu, 06 Feb 2025The President of the World Boxing Organization and the Secretary of Recreation and Sports of Puerto Rico Strengthen Ties to Benefit Boxing and Puerto Rican Youth
, Thu, 06 Feb 2025Johnny Wellem Carzano rules Misamis Occidental active open chess championship
, Thu, 06 Feb 2025Boston Celtics Upend Cleveland, 112-105, Reduce Cavs Lead in the NBA Eastern Conf
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Wed, 05 Feb 2025The Past Week in Action 4 February 2025: Benavidez Beats Morrell; Fulton Outpoints Figueroa; Shields Defeats Perkins
By Eric Armit, , Wed, 05 Feb 2025Canelo Alvarez vs. Terence Crawford: Historic Riyadh Season Blockbuster Set for Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas
, Wed, 05 Feb 2025Xander Zayas: “This is the Most Important Fight of My Career!”
, Wed, 05 Feb 2025Mano Mano sa Candelaria 3: Gemino Outpoints Mancito
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Wed, 05 Feb 2025THE TALENTED AND UNDEFEATED SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT DARIUS “DFG” FULGHUM RETURNS AS CO-MAIN EVENT FOR DUARTE VS. PROGRAIS
, Wed, 05 Feb 2025IBA Women’s World Boxing Championships in Niš to highlight the ascending stars of female boxing
, Wed, 05 Feb 2025Kaipo Gallegos Shines in Las Vegas Victory Over Leonardo Padilla
, Wed, 05 Feb 2025World Boxing membership grows to 72 National Federations as Executive Board approves four new applications from Egypt, Gambia, Kiribati and Grenada
, Wed, 05 Feb 2025Deonte Brown signs with prominent manager Trifon Petrov
, Wed, 05 Feb 2025Memphis Grizzlies Repeat Over SA Spurs, Overtake Houston Rockets for 2nd in West
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Tue, 04 Feb 2025WEIGHTS FROM NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE
, Tue, 04 Feb 2025IM Michael Concio and Chester Neil Reyes banner IIEE Quezon to win the quarterfinals of the PTC World Engineering Day online Chess Tournament
By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 04 Feb 2025THURSDAY: Arthur Biyarslanov-Mohamed Mimoune & Heavyweight KO Artist Bakhodir Jalolov’s Return to Stream LIVE and Exclusively in the U.S. on ESPN+
, Tue, 04 Feb 2025Canelo Alvarez vs. Terence Crawford: The Super Fight of 2025 Officially Set for Las Vegas
, Tue, 04 Feb 2025Two-Time Olympic Gold Medalist Claressa Shields Makes History and Captures the Undisputed Heavyweight Title at Super Brawl Sunday in Flint, Mich.
, Tue, 04 Feb 2025Granite Chin Promotions bringing pro boxing back to Bridgewater “Fight Night at the Vets Club III”
, Tue, 04 Feb 2025ATLANTIC CITY BOXING HALL OF FAME ANNOUNCES CLASS OF 2025
, Tue, 04 Feb 2025 |
|
|
|
|
|
