The Toronto Raptors took care of business Saturday, beating the visiting Indiana Pacers 131-91. However, it was anything but a regular home game for the hosts.
Play was suspended for approximately 70 minutes after Toronto Fire Services called for fans to be evacuated due to an electrical fire at Scotiabank Arena.
No prob @ScotiabankArena pic.twitter.com/AOizRXs2FB
— R F (@R_S_Fowler) March 26, 2022
The Raptors-Pacers game has been paused due to a fire affecting a speaker inside Scotiabank Arena.
— NBA TV (@NBATV) March 27, 2022
The arena has now been evacuated and there is no threat to public safety. pic.twitter.com/qLur7Phz2t
Toronto led 66-38 with 4:05 left in the second quarter when play was halted, allowing workers to rappel from the rafters to address a malfunctioning speaker.
Though fans weren't allowed to return for the resumption of play, the Raptors had little trouble handling the Pacers, who were already eliminated from postseason play coming into the contest and were without head coach Rick Carlisle, who was away from the team for personal reasons.
Also not joining the Raptors for the remainder of the game was All-Star guard Fred VanVleet. After a lengthy layoff, and with Toronto firmly in control, the floor general was shut down early to rest the sore right knee that has hampered him in recent weeks. He finished with five points, three assists, and two rebounds in 17 minutes of play.
Six Raptors finished in double-digits, led by big man Pascal Siakam with 23 points on 10-of-15 shooting. Rookie Scottie Barnes added 19 points, seven assists, and six boards. Reserve forward Precious Achiuwa scored 18, with all but two points coming before the stoppage in play.
Oshae Brissett led the Pacers with 21 points in what was a homecoming for the Canadian and former Raptor. Deadline acquisition Tyrese Haliburton tallied just seven points but dished out a game-high 12 assists.
