Raptors at Pacers game-day Dino-bytes

Our game-day look at tonight’s Raptors game.

TORONTO (1-6) at INDIANA (3-4)

Bankers Life Fieldhouse

TIPOFF: 7 p.m.

TV: TSN; RADIO: FAN590

Probable starters

Toronto: Jose Calderon, DeMar DeRozan, Dominic McGuire, Andrea Bargnani, Jonas Valanciunas; Indiana: George Hill, Lance Stephenson, Paul George, David West, Roy Hibbert.

Key backups tonight

Toronto: Ed Davis, Amir Johnson; Indiana: Gerald Green, Sam Young.

 

What happened this morning

Change happened.

According to the crack Pacers media relations staff, Indiana’s going to give Lance Stephenson his first start of the season and second of his caeer.

Not sure exactly about the reasoning behind it, we’ll hear more from coach Frank Vogel this evening but Stephenson will be in tough with DeMar DeRozan going so well of late.

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Everyone slept

No shootaround for the Raptors, who dragged their worn out selves into the team hotel sometime after 2 a.m. following that Jazz marathon.

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Speaking of …

Yes, DeRozan’s 60 minutes of playing time against the Jazz on Monday was the most of his career. But he was telling us the 44 minutes against Philadelphia the other night was no big deal, can’t imagine he’ll complain about being tired tonight. But he will be.

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Not a nice place to visit

With its sightlines and old-school fieldhouse design, the arena formerly known as Conseco is right near the top of everyone’s of favourite buildings in the league.

Except the Raptors, perhaps; Toronto has lost its last seven games in the joint.

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Once more into the breach

Most memorable Raptor moment here?

It was the scene of The Trade; we were in the hallway outside the locker room when we got word Vince Carter had been dealt to New Jersey.

Best line?

Jalen Rose figured when he heard that Jersey was involved that Toronto had to get someone like Jason Kidd back. When he was told what was in the package …

“For the first time, Jalen is speechless.”

Gotta love Jalen.

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All-time numbers?

Toronto is 23-41 vs. the Pacers and 7-24 here in Indiana.

 

 

 

 

Comments

[Impulsh]

So Doug, no chance Lowry will be able to go tonight?

Blogger's note: Nope

[JT]

Most memorable Raptors moment for me involving Indiana was that I was watching a Raptors/Pacers game with my cousin. Went out to meet friends afterwards, went back home to my downtown condo and bumped into TJ Ford, Sam Mitchell, and Maurizio Gherardini all coming back from Indiana only about 3-3.5 hours after the game ended. That was my very first run-in with Raptors at my condo building at the time. I thought it was cool and odd at the same time because they all drove separate cars back to the same condo. Sam was grumpy as I said hi, he looked at me, didn't say anything and looked away.

[john]

Hey Doug, do the Raptors have a historical winning record against any team in the league?

[doug]

AA has just pulled a humdinger of a deal...talk about a shake-up he just did it....cheers...

Blogger's note: Go big or go home, I love it

[Mike]

For @john -- I was interested in your question, and did some digging. Toronto is 32-31 vs the Wizards, 21-12 vs the Timberwolves, 19-13 vs the Clippers, 15-13 vs the Bobcats and 33-33 vs the Nets. Here's the link where I found the info -- http://www.nbauniverse.com/head_to_head/raptors_rivals.htm