Hill scores 20 points to lead Pacers over Raptors
INDIANAPOLIS - Jordan Hill had 20 points and 13 rebounds, Monta Ellis had 18 points and the Indiana Pacers beat the Raptors 106-90 on Monday night to end Toronto's four-game winning streak.
C.J. Miles added 17 points for the Pacers, who have won two of three games.
Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan each scored 20 points for the Raptors. Toronto lost for the first time after winning four straight.
Indiana used a 39-4 run in the first half to climb out of a 21-point deficit and Lavoy Allen made two free throws to give the Pacers a 29-28 lead at the 11:38 mark in the second quarter.
Indiana took a 44-30 lead when Ellis converted a three-point play with 4:08 remaining in the first half.
Indiana snapped a five-game skid against Toronto, including a 106-99 loss in the season-opener on Oct. 28.
As the Pacers search for a way to end the team's worst stretch since losing three straight to start the year and get back to winning games, Hill and Ellis stepped up in a big way.
Ellis made a 3-pointer early in the third quarter to put Indiana ahead 64-46 before Toronto went on a 10-0 run. Ellis scored on a lay-up to stop the spurt and later made a free throw when Lowry was called for a technical to give the Pacers a 67-56 lead with 4:43 left in the third.
Indiana got off to a slow start and Toronto jumped out to a big lead right from the start.
Lowry made two 3-pointers and a basket and DeRozan scored a basket and a 3 to put the Raptors ahead 15-3 early in the opening quarter. Lowry scored to make it 26-5 with 6:01 remaining in the first quarter.
Then Indiana went on its big run.
Paul George, who finished with 16 points, made a 3-pointer to give Indiana its first lead, 27-26, before Terrence Ross scored to put the Raptors ahead again at the end of the first quarter. After making the go-ahead free throws at the start of the second quarter, Allen scored again to make it 31-28.
Hill never let it get close again and scored nine points in the fourth quarter. He finished with his fourth double-double of the season.
TIP-INS
Raptors: F DeMarre Carroll was out with a right knee contusion for the fifth straight game. ... Jonas Valanciunas was inactive for the 12th straight game with a fractured left hand. ... Toronto allowed more than 100 points for the first time in five games.
Pacers: Indiana's bench outscored Toronto's 25-8 in the first half. ... The Pacers turned Toronto's 21 turnovers into 22 points. ... George was presented with the Eastern Conference Player of the Month award prior to tipoff.
UP NEXT
Raptors: At Charlotte on Thursday night.
Pacers: Host Dallas on Wednesday night.