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Mar 26, 2022; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors forward Pascal Siakam (43) waits as fans begin to exit Scotiabank Arena due to a fire emergency during the second quarter against the Indiana Pacers. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports
via Imago
Mar 26, 2022; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors forward Pascal Siakam (43) waits as fans begin to exit Scotiabank Arena due to a fire emergency during the second quarter against the Indiana Pacers. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports
The Toronto Raptors hosted the Indiana Pacers on Saturday night. The 13th seed side Pacers played their 75th game of the NBA season. With a worrying record of 25-50 after the game, the season for the Pacers is a lost cause now.
On the other hand, the Raptors are in a good position. They were 6th seed before the commencement of the game. Maintaining their place in the playoff spots, the Raptors are 42-32 after a win at home against the Pacers.
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The Raptors won the game comfortably 131-91. Scottie Barnes and Pascal Siakam combined for 42 points, scoring 19 and 23, respectively. Chris Boucher and Precious Achiuwa contributed with 15 and 18 points respectively to fashion a victory.
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But the game had an unwanted, unexpected interruption which delayed the game and had to be continued without the audience.
Speaker catches fire; Game halted
The Raptors and the Pacers resumed their halted game without spectators on Saturday after Scotiabank Arena was evacuated after a speaker fire broke out in the upper rafters. Toronto Police confirmed the blaze had started in a speaker. Toronto Fire Services requested the evacuation as a precaution after reports of a two-alarm fire in the arena.
The @Raptors – @Pacers game has been suspended after one of the speaker caught fire. Scotiabank Arena has been evacuated.
🎥: @Charlliieee pic.twitter.com/cMroXLdvm1
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) March 27, 2022
The game was suspended for a little while, with around 4 minutes remaining in the second quarter. Fortunately, there was no reported injury from the incident.
USA Today via Reuters
Mar 26, 2022; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Members of the Toronto Fire Department check as fans exit Scotiabank Arena due to a fire emergency during the second quarter between the Indiana Pacers and Toronto Raptors at. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports
?Due to an equipment issue, the fire marshall has requested for everyone to calmly evacuate the building,? a sign on the scoreboard informed. ?There is no danger to public safety.?
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The announcer said that the game was suspended so that the issue could be resolved. After the game, the Raptors issued a statement. In it, they promised they will refund the ticket buyers within 30 days.
USA Today via Reuters
Mar 26, 2022; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Fans begin to exit Scotiabank Arena due to a fire emergency during the second quarter of a NBA game between the Indiana Pacers and the Toronto Raptors. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports
It was a good victory for the Raptors nonetheless. They have now won 8 of their last 10 games.
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The Raptors would hope to continue their effort going into the business end of the season. However, for the Pacers, there?s not much hope left for any qualification. They can only hope to end the season on a high and come back stronger the next season.
