Brandon Ingram’s game-winning jumper over Pascal Siakam gave the Toronto Raptors their ninth straight win, finishing off a 97-95 victory over the Indiana Pacers.
With 0.6 seconds left on the clock, Brandon Ingram pulled up and nailed a jumper over Siakam to give Toronto the lead.
The game-winner came right after Jakob Poeltl blocked Pascal Siakam’s shot at the other end. Immanuel Quickley pushed the ball upcourt and found Ingram with just enough time left on the clock.
It set up a one-on-one matchup between the 28-year-old and Siakam near the elbow. With five fouls already, Siakam could not risk getting too aggressive.
Ingram took advantage, going straight at him to create space for the shot.
Brandon Ingram says Pascal Siakam was at his mercy
Ingram has been outstanding for the Raptors this season, and his game-winner gave Toronto a moment they had not felt in quite a while.
After the game, he was asked what he saw in the matchup with Siakam in that final possession.
The forward pointed out that he knew Siakam was already dealing with foul trouble, and then followed up with a comment about how he planned to go after him.
“I knew he was in foul trouble and I knew he didn’t want to be overly aggressive, so he was at my mercy at that point,” said Ingram.
Raptors have won 9 straight games
The Raptors now have the longest win streak in the East after the Pistons’ 13-game run came to an end.
Their nine-game stretch began after a loss to the Philadelphia 76ers, a game that ended with Ingram throwing a water bottle on the floor, which made headlines at the time.
Since then, Toronto have been one of the top teams in both offensive and defensive categories. They are currently ranked seventh in offensive rating, fourth in defensive rating, and fifth in net rating.
That good run led them to the second spot in the Eastern Conference.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
