CHICAGO -- After collapsing in Game 5, losing a 13-point fourth quarter lead, the Indiana Pacers bounced back in Game 6, beating the Toronto Raptors, 101-83, on Friday night at the Bankers Life Fieldhouse in downtown Indianapolis.
All Pacers starters scored in double figures forcing a decisive Game 7 on Sunday night at the Air Canada Centre. Paul George led the way with 21 points, 11 rebounds and 6 assists. Myles Turner had 15 and 9 boards while Monta Ellis logged 14 and 5 dimes. Ian Mahinmi and George Hill recorded 12 points apiece.
"We just had a fight in us. As a group, collectively, we knew that this could be the end of our seson. We just did a great job of battling," George told NBA.com.
With a berth in the Eastern Conference semifinals on the line, the Raptors took a 44-40 halftime lead. But they unraveled in the second half, scoring just 39 while Indiana rattled off 61. Thanks to a 12-0 run to start the fourth quarter, the Pacers established a comfortable 83-64 with 9:49 remaining.
DeMarre Carroll and Cory Joseph each had 15 points for the Raptors but All-Stars DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry combined only for 18 points, making just 7 of 27 field goals.
Photo: Paul George burned the Raptors for 21 points to help Indy force a Game 7 in their opening round playoffs series.
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