Last week: Lost to Clippers 110-99, beat Boston 122-117, won at Atlanta 110-100
This week: Sunday vs. Charlotte, Tuesday vs. Lakers, Friday vs. Sacramento
Some demons from last spring’s playoffs were exorcised Wednesday night when the Indiana Pacers topped the Boston Celtics 122-117. It doesn’t make up for the four-game sweep the Cs laid on the Pacers in the first round back in April, but Indiana is still definitely exceeding expectations thus far.
Malcolm Brogdon continues to show he was a savvy pickup in free agency by Kevin Pritchard, averaging 22.7 points, 7.3 assists, 3.3 rebounds and 1.3 steals in 30.6 minutes per game, while shooting 48.8 percent overall and hitting 5-of-12 from 3-point range. He also had a 15-for-15 night at the free throw line en route to 29 points in the win over the Celtics.
Last week: Lost at Philadelphia 110-104, won at Chicago 93-92, lost to Clippers 112-92, beat Brooklyn 110-102
This week: Monday vs. Cleveland, Wednesday at Detroit, Friday vs. Washington
The Toronto Raptors lost to a pair of upper-echelon teams — including taking a 20-point thumping from former Raptor Kawhi Leonard and the Clippers on Wednesday — but salvaged a split of the week by surviving at Chicago and taking care of the Nets. Still, Toronto has lost four of its last six after a 15-4 start and is without Fred Van Vleet, who has a bruised knee.
Pascal Siakam didn’t have the most efficient week, but averaged 23.0 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.8 blocks and 1.5 steals in 36.3 minutes per game. He shot 40.2 percent overall and was 6-for-19 from 3-point range. He capped the week with 30 points, 10 boards, five dimes, three steals and three blocks in the win over the Nets Saturday night.