Indiana Pacers: 5 Keys To Completing The Upset

5. Defensive Rebounding

It’s a pretty darn good thing the Raptors only shot 38 percent from the field and 21.1 percent from three-point range, because their advantage on the boards would normally have been a decisive factor in the outcome of a playoff game.

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Not only did Toronto out-rebound Indiana by a massive 52-38 margin, but they also racked up 20 offensive rebounds to extend the Raptors’ possessions. Had “We The North” been able to put the ball in the hole and convert all those offensive rebounds into more than seven second chance points (on 2-of-10 shooting), the final score might have read differently.

Jonas Valanciunas was an absolute beast on the boards, finishing the game with 19 rebounds — including 11 offensive boards — despite fouling out in only 21 minutes. With Ian Mahinmi dealing with foul trouble, Myles Turner being a rookie who also dealt with some foul trouble and the Pacers going small, the Raptors enjoyed quite an advantage on the glass.

Against a desperate Toronto team in Game 2, Indiana has to do a better job keeping Valanciunas, Bismack Biyombo (eight rebounds), Patrick Patterson (six) and Luis Scola (six) off the boards. If they can do so, they’ll put themselves in an even better position to make sure the Raptors fall woefully short of expectations once again.

Next: No. 4