Raptors pull away from visiting Pacers to earn a well-deserved third win of the season

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All of the hard work and long stretches of gritty play finally paid off on Monday night at Scotiabank Arena, a just reward for a resilient Raptors team that has yet to thread that winning needle with any consistency.

From start to finish — outside of a few lapses, which are to be expected from such a depleted roster — the Raptors were the better team as they knocked off the Indiana Pacers, 130-119 for only their third victory of the season, all three at home.

A seven-game losing streak featuring some close misses has a way of perhaps spiralling out of control, but the Raptors held serve at SBA on this night. When the inevitable Pacers run was forged, the Raptors responded.

They began the night with purpose and poise, forcing the Pacers to call an early timeout. It was clear from the opening tap that the Raptors had regrouped from Saturday’s overtime heartache in Boston where Jayson Tatum’s buzzer-beating three should not have counted following an extra step the game officials did not see.

There were no lingering effects against Indy as the Raptors played with a double-digit lead for most the opening half, which would see them take a 69-57 lead into the break, sparked by 57% shooting and an ability to control the glass.

Toronto increased its lead to 17 points two minutes into the third quarter, prompting the Pacers to call a timeout, a Damion Mitchell three in transition bump it to 20 and Indy’s spirit’s began to sink when the lead hit 22.

Neither the current iteration of the Raptors nor the Pacers are anywhere near championship-calibre. But credit the Raptors for once again bringing that competitive fight.

Much like in Boston, the two players who elevated their games for the Raptors were RJ Barrett and Jakob Poeltl. On Saturday, it was Barrett recording his first-career triple-double, while Poeltl poured in a career-high 35 points in Toronto’s 126-123 loss.

Against the Pacers, who were without their big man in Myles Turner, Barrett and Poeltl combined for 69 points, though they did also combine for 11 of the Raptors’ 23 turnovers.

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INJURY UPDATES

Scottie Barnes made an appearance in the hours leading up to tip by taking part in some basketball activities on the court. He continues to sport a protective mask following that accidental elbow Denver’s big man Nikola Jokic to Barnes’ face that led to an orbital fracture.

Barnes is scheduled to be re-evaluated Tuesday. He recently visited with a specialist when it was determined no surgery would be required.

Monday marked the 11th game Barnes has missed since his inadvertent on-court encounter with Nuggets’  Nikola Jokic.

Toronto entered the night having lost 71 man games to injury. The only team with more games lost to injury is Memphis (73), a team featuring Toronto’s own Zach Edey, whom the Grizzlies took ninth overall in this year’s draft. The 7-foot-4 Edey sprained his ankle this past Sunday in a home win over Denver.

Toronto’s growing injury list meant the team had 10 players available against the Pacers. It was reduced to nine when Jamal Shead headed to the locker room in the second half with an undisclosed issue. The tough-as-nails kid pulled his jersey over his face in obvious pain.

SPICY HOMECOMING

Pascal Siakam, whom the Raptors drafted, nurtured and eventually traded, was back in the house with the Pacers.

During the warmups, he took time to reconnect with fans by posing for pictures, then was roundly cheered during the pre-game player introductions.

This is not Spicy P’s first time back in Toronto since being dealt last season, but the trademark smile on his face glows a bit brighter when he returns to his first hoops home.

“He’s a great person and he’s really taken on a leadership role,’’ said Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle. “He’s immersed himself in our team, he’s become a big part of our culture and we really love having him.”

When Siakam drew a foul that sent him to the line five minutes into Monday’s tip, he missed his first free throw, eliciting a cheer from the crowd. He buried his second free throw.

During a timeout midway through the second quarter, the Raptors counted down the team’s five biggest draft-day steals as part of their 30th anniversary celebrations At No. 1 was Siakam, the 27th overall pick in 2016.

When Siakam was shown sitting on the Pacers bench once the draft roll call had been completed, fans cheered. Siakam then acknowledged the ovation.

He ended the night by scoring 25 points.

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WOE CANADA

On Canada Basketball night, Indiana’s Bennedict Mathurin was acknowledged.

Unfortunately, he was greeted by muted applause, which is quite sad because the kid has game and figures to play a prominent role with the national men’s team as he develops.

He scored a team-high 28 points in Indy’s loss.

Another Pacer, Andrew Nembhard (knee) represented Canada at this past summer’s Paris Olympics, but he was unavailable against the Raptors.

Kelly Olynyk (back) continues to be sidelined for the Raptors. At least Barrett and Chris Boucher were able to provide some Canadian content on Canada Basketball night from a Raptors perspective.

ARGO-O-O-O-S!

The evening featured a moment to celebrate the Argonauts’ Grey Cup win the night before, which featured, among others, wide receiver Dejon Brissett, who most outstanding Canadian, who held aloft the coveted trophy.

His brother, Oshae Brissett, who once suited up for the Raptors, earned an NBA title last season with the Celtics.

fzicarelli@postmedia.com