Toronto pick up first win over rivals since 2010.
There were five games on the NBA schedule on Wednesday night, with the Toronto Raptors securing the result of the night with a win over the Indiana Pacers.
DeMar DeRozan scored 26 points, Kyle Lowry had 13 points and a season-high 14 assists as the Raptors won their fourth consecutive game to move to 15-15 for the season after their 95-82 win over the Pacers.
“It’s a great win,” Lowry said. “We’re executing our game plan and we’re locked in.”
Pacers point guard George Hill conceded that their opponents played better than them on Wednesday night and deserved the win after getting the better of the Eastern Conference leaders.
The Raptors have now won eight of 10 games since December 13, the date on which the majority of the players from the Rudy Gay deal made their debuts.
As a result, they move to the .500 mark and look increasingly capable of securing a playoff spot in the East this season.
In contrast, it will be a bitter blow for the Pacers who slip to 25-6 for the season as they continue their pursuit of the best record in the NBA.
Elsewhere, the Los Angeles Clippers came out on top against the Charlotte Bobcats with a comprehensive 112-85 win at the Staples Center.
Blake Griffin was crowned the performer of the night for the hosts, as he ended the game with 31 points and 12 rebounds in another monster performance while Chris Paul added 17 points and 14 assists.
Similarly, it took a team effort from the Minnesota Timberwolves who overcame the New Orleans Pelicans behind 14 points, 8 rebounds and 9 assists from Ricky Rubio who arguably put in his best performance of the season thus far.
Kevin Love added 21 points while Nikola Pekovic scored 22 points as Minnesota improve to 16-16, while the loss sees the Pelicans fall to 14-16.
In the remaining games of the night, Monta Ellis had a team-high 23 points for the Dallas Mavericks in their win over the Washington Wizards, while Evan Turner had a stand-out game as his 23 points and six assists helped the Philadelphia 76ers inflict defeat on the Denver Nuggets.
NBA Results:
Dallas Mavericks 87-78 Washington Wizards
Indiana Pacers 82-95 Toronto Raptors
New Orleans Pelicans 112-124 Minnesota Timberwolves
Philadelphia 76ers 114-102 Denver Nuggets
Charlotte Bobcats 82-112 Los Angeles Clippers
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