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Indiana Pacers Blow Out Toronto Raptors In Game Four

By Garrett Hagan

Apr 23, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers guard George Hill (3) defended by Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry (7) during the second half of game four of the first round of the 2016 NBA Playoffs at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Indiana defeats Toronto 100-83. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 23, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers guard George Hill (3) defended by Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry (7) during the second half of game four of the first round of the 2016 NBA Playoffs at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Indiana defeats Toronto 100-83. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Indiana Pacers blew out the Toronto Raptors 100-83 at home Saturday evening. With the win, the series is now tied 2-2 with the Pacers heading to Toronto for game five.

Defense. That’s the word of the day for the Indiana Pacers. After being completely embarrassed at home in game four last Thursday, head coach Frank Vogel and the Pacers made sure that they wouldn’t just lie down and accept defeat this series.

Vogel felt the need to adjust things a bit, integrating rookie Myles Turner into the starting lineup to play the four and moving Ian Mahinmi to the center position. The change resulted in a Raptors team that shot just 36 percent from the floor, including 26 percent from behind the three-point line.

Before today’s game, a heavy emphasis had been put on the Pacers needing their role players and bench to produce aside from Paul George. And that’s exactly what they did, resulting in a game that was never close that saw the Pacers led by as much as 25 points in the first-half.

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George continued his dominant playoff ways with 19 points in the win, but it was Mahinmi and George Hill who stole the show in game four. Mahinmi scored a career-high 22 points and added on 10 rebounds to his night. Hill also scored 22 points while shooting 9-for-11 from the field and 2-for-4 from three-point range.

For the Raptors, the shooting woes from both Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan came back into existence. Lowry had just 12 points while shooting 4-for-12 from the field and 0-for-5 for three. DeRozan had a mere eight points on 4-for-15 shooting, making neither of his two three-point attempts.

Former Pacer Luis Scola continued to be a non-factor this series as he had only a single point, shooting 0-for-5 from the field during the game and leaving many wondering as to why Raptors coach Dwane Casey hasn’t opted to start Patrick Patterson in place of Scola yet.

“Our defense was phenomenal. That’s what we need and that’s what we need to travel on the road to Toronto,” George said regarding the team’s efforts in game four.

Nabbing another win in Toronto for game five would be huge for the Pacers. Look for Vogel to continue to use the same lineup that he used tonight featuring Turner at power-forward and Mahinmi at center.

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If Indiana’s role players can carry their good play on to game five in Toronto, then expect the Pacers to be hungry to wrap the series up in front of their home crowd in game six. Nothing shall come easy however, as the Raptors will be playing for everything come game five.

Be sure to follow Ink On Indy as we continue our coverage of the first-round playoffs for the Indiana Pacers.

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