IC Cold Links: Pacers Catch Raptors At The Wrong Time

The Indiana Pacers struggled to slow down the sizzling Toronto Raptorslast night and thanks to the home-and-home slot on the schedule the two teams get to do it all over again tomorrow night at Conseco Fieldhouse.

Last week in discussing the difficulties facing Tyler Hansbrough whenever he returns, Jim O'Brien mentioned how at this time of year most teams have refined their games and are playing at a higher level. The Raptors fit that description perfectly, having won five straight and 15 of their last 20.

Meanwhile, the Pacers are still sputtering along, working through various tweaks to the playing rotation while staying small. One thing is for sure, the small ball +/- has taken a hit over the past three games.

After the jump, more links of interest from the loss last night.

• AP game report
• Led by Bosh, Raptors drop Pacers for fifth straight win
  Holly Mack's game report along with highlights and box score
• Indiana can't hang with hot Toronto
  Mike Wells reports on the Pacers' failure to swap buckets with the Raptors last night.
• Raptors go deep for fifth straight victory
  Doug Smith reports on the Raptors' depth coming up big in their win over the Pacers.
• Bosh paces Raptors over Indy
  Robert MacLeod reports on the Raptors continuing their strong play in beating the Pacers.
• Raptors blast Pacers, win fifth straight
  Eric Koreen reports on the Raptors putting it all together and pushing their win streak to five games.
• Raptors Rapid Recap: Toronto 117 Indiana 102
  Raptors HQ hits the highlights or the low-lights depending on which side of the border you live.
• Pacers Notebook: Jack paying dividends with surging Raptors
  Wells has more on Jarrett Jackand JOB's plans for the starting lineup.
• The lineup changes - again
  Mike Wells with a little more on JOB's 19th starting lineup and his plans to continue starting Troy Murphy over Roy Hibbert at center.

• CB4 paces BALL-less Raps to victory
  Raptors Republic recaps the Raps and wonders why the Pacers stuck with the small lineup.

• Perkins: Still a little bit early to plan the parade
  Dave Perkins offers a little reality check for Raps' fans getting excited about the recent play of their team.