The Toronto Raptors' remarkable November surge continued Wednesday night at Scotiabank Arena, where they extended their winning streak to nine games with a heart-stopping 97-95 victory over the Indiana Pacers.
Brandon Ingram emerged as the hero, sinking the game-winning basket with just 0.6 seconds remaining on the clock, capping a dramatic comeback after Toronto overcame a horrid start against the struggling Pacers.
Dynamic Duo Delivers in Clutch
While the Raptors initially took their two-win opponents for granted, falling behind by as many as 11 points in the first half, their star players ultimately took control. Brandon Ingram reinforced his status as Toronto's premier scorer, while Scottie Barnes demonstrated why he's the team's most complete two-way player.
The tandem combined for 50 points, with Barnes contributing across every statistical category and Ingram delivering when it mattered most. Their partnership continues to unlock new possibilities for this surging Raptors squad, which improved its record to 14-5 with the victory.
Siakam's Emotional Return Falls Short
The game marked Pascal Siakam's first return to Toronto since being traded to Indiana, and the former Raptor received warm applause from the hometown crowd. However, his night proved frustrating as he battled foul trouble throughout the contest.
Siakam picked up his fourth personal foul with 3.6 seconds remaining in the first half and was later assessed a technical foul. He finished the game matching his four field goals with four fouls, and his potential game-winning attempt in the final seconds was blocked, setting up Ingram's heroics.
With Tyrese Haliburton out for the season with an Achilles tear, the Pacers have struggled mightily, dropping to 2-16 overall and 0-10 on the road following Wednesday's defeat.
Lineup Adjustments and November Dominance
Toronto played its second consecutive game without starting wing RJ Barrett, who is expected to miss at least a week with a knee sprain. Medical imaging revealed no structural damage, but his absence was noticeable.
"Without Barrett, the Raptors don't have anyone capable of filling his shoes in the starting group," the analysis noted, pointing to his unique skills in cutting, screening, and transition play.
Rookie Collin Murray-Boyles got the start but quickly found himself in foul trouble, forcing coach Darko Rajakovic to adjust his rotations throughout the game.
The victory capped a perfect November at home for Toronto, who went 6-0 at Scotiabank Arena during the month. Overall, the Raptors compiled a remarkable 12-1 record in November, with their only loss coming on the road against Philadelphia in the second game of a back-to-back without starting center Jakob Poeltl.
With the win, Toronto also completed a perfect 4-0 run in NBA Cup group play and will host a quarterfinal game in the in-season tournament on December 9 or 10.
The Raptors now prepare for a weekend back-to-back, traveling to face the Charlotte Hornets on Saturday before a Sunday matchup against the New York Knicks that could offer a potential playoff preview.
