Taking note: Raptors make adjustments in Game 2, but need to make more

TORONTO – Paul George did too much damage in Game 1 for this not to happen.

The Raptors slid their top free agent acquisition DeMarre Carroll into the starting lineup for Game 2. Carroll's defensive intensity was something the Raptors were missing against Saturday as George torched Toronto for 33 points.

Coach Dwane Casey said pregame he would wait until the game to make a decision regarding the starting lineup.

But sure enough, Carroll shadowed Paul George in the first quarter before getting into early foul trouble.

Dwane Casey has been adamant in the fact that more than one player would be tasked with guarding Paul George, and that's what happened Monday night. Carroll got a lot of time on him, but the likes of Norman Powell, DeMar DeRozan and Patrick Patterson all saw some time defending the Pacers All-Star.

What's surprising is Casey's reluctance to 'coach on the fly' mid-game. He has stuck to his favourite lineups all season long and it has rarely changed. But with the chance to bring a fifth game back to Toronto, making the adjustment was must.

Toronto got another solid performance from Jonas Valanciunas on the glass, and rode his hot hand on Monday. The Pacers have had injury issues with Ian Mahinmi and taking advantage of rookie Myles Turner was a focal point in this one, and a strategy that could be relied upon again in games three and four.

"He's been huge - literally. We're doing a good job on Kyle and DeMar, but Valanciunas has stepped up," said Pacers forward Paul George, "He's the one causing us problems right now and we have to figure it out."

Some of the issues in Game 1 resurfaced, though. DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry struggled once again, combining for 9-of-31 shooting. DeMar DeRozan wasn't able to get to the free throw line and sat out the entire fourth quarter in favour of a hot lineup of Cory Joseph, Lowry, Powell, Patrick Patterson and Bismack Biyombo.

"I don't know if it's tightness or what it is. He was number two or three in getting to the free throw line so I don't know if it's frustration or what." said Dwane Casey. "But again his teammates picked him up, (and) he'll come around."

If the Raptors want to bring back a win in Indiana, they're going to have to get to the charity stripe. Lowry's tough shooting night was set aside by going 10-for-10 at the line, but DeRozan's failure to get there is something to keep an eye on. DeRozan is one of the best at drawing fouls, and that didn't show in this game,

On the plus side, the Raptors took better care of the ball in Game 2. After commiting 19 turnovers in the series opener, they coughed up the ball 13 times and prevented Indiana's counter-attack.

The play of Norman Powell down the stretch was also key, and could be a threat to Terrence Ross' minutes the way he's been playing of late. It's been a pleasant surprise for Toronto.

The Raptors continue the series in Indiana for the next couple of games, but have earned the right to another match up in Toronto next Tuesday.

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