Raptors rout Pacers following lengthy game delay due to fire at Scotiabank Arena

Pascal Siakam had 23 points, while Scottie Barnes added 19 and the Toronto Raptors crushed the Indiana Pacers 131-91 on Saturday, in a game that was suspended for 70 minutes due to a fire in a speaker at Scotiabank Arena.

The Raptors were leading 66-38 when the game was suspended with 4:05 left in the first half. Fans were evacuated, teams headed to the locker-rooms, and after Toronto Fire Services deemed it was safe to continue, players did a 10-minute warmup and the game resumed.

Precious Achiuwa added 18 points for Toronto (42-32), who moved into fifth in the Eastern Conference with Chicago's win over Cleveland on Saturday. OG Anunoby finished with 16, Chris Boucher chipped in with 15 and Thaddeus Young scored 11.

Fred VanVleet, who is battling a knee injury, didn't return after the long pause in play.

WATCH | Raptors, Pacers game suspended due to fire:

Former Raptor and Toronto native Oshae Brissett topped the Pacers (25-50) with 21 points, while Justin Anderson finished with 18.

With just eight games left in the regular season and the Raptors battling for a playoff spot, finishing the game after the fire delay was crucial for Toronto.

The Raptors have already clinched at least a play-in berth, but would prefer a top-six finish in the Eastern Conference to avoid that extended path to the post-season. Chicago's win saw the Raptors take sole possession of fifth, with one game over Cleveland.

Indiana has already been eliminated from playoff contention, and while the Raptors have lost numerous games against bad teams this season, their 20-point lead in the first quarter Saturday hinted that wouldn't be happening.

WATCH | Raptors rout Pacers after delay:

The Raptors led by 29 in the second quarter, and stretched that to