Barnes posts double-double to lead Raptors past Pacers for 3rd-straight win
Indiana's Domantas Sabonis misses hurried 3-pointer in final seconds
As much as Scottie Barnes has made a strong first impression in the NBA, Toronto Raptors coach Nick Nurse suggests the rookie could take more shots.
"With all of his offensive stuff, he's still learning what he's going to do," Nurse said of Barnes. "Seventeen shots in a game are quite a few, and I love it, but they're not enough."
The Pacers' Domantas Sabonis missed a hurried 3-pointer in the final seconds.
WATCH l Scottie & Svi: Raptors' youth outpaces Indiana:
The Raptors have won three in a row, including a 118-100 victory over Indiana at home on Thursday. The Pacers have lost six of seven.
"It's the NBA, it's not supposed to be easy," Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said. "If it was, I'd be pulling guys off the street. It's a tough, tough league. ... We played hard. We just need to play better."
The Raptors never led by more than three until the final quarter, then surged to a 92-84 advantage on Fred VanFleet's three with 1:44 remaining. VanFleet finished with 16 points.
'Our team chemistry is building'
"We're spreading it around, not trying to rely on only one guy," VanFleet said. "Our team chemistry is building. Our trust is building in each other."
Svi Mykhailiuk scored 16 off the bench for Toronto. OG Anunoby had 15.
Sabonis led the Pacers with 22 points and 14 rebounds. Caris LeVert scored 15 in his season debut, all in the first half because he was on a minutes restriction. He scored nine of Indiana's initial 13 points. He missed the season's first six games with a back stress fracture.
"I feel like I prepared as well as I could have and kind of hit the ground running tonight," LeVert said.
The Pacers led by as many as seven points in the first half.
