DeMar DeRozan carries Toronto Raptors past Indiana Pacers in Game 7

TORONTO — It was dramatic, but the Toronto Raptors finally exorcised their Game 7 demons on Sunday, beating the Indiana Pacers 89-84 to win the Eastern Conference opening round playoff series 4-3.

Prior to the game the Raptors had never won a Game 7, or even a best-of-seven series, in franchise history, failing on both previous attempts. The Pacers gave a brief late-game scare, but ultimately the Raptors made sure disappointment didn't catch them again. All-Star guard DeMar DeRozan played a significant role with a 30-point performance despite his inefficiency. In reality, he was the Raptors' only reliable scorer. 

DeRozan was unquestionably the star of the game, though he needed a franchise playoff record 32 shots to get his 30 points. Pacers small forward Paul George did his best to keep his team involved with 26 points and 12 rebounds, but the Raptors stayed a few steps ahead for all 48 minutes.

"It means a lot," DeRozan said. "We've been struggling a lot these last couple postseasons."

DeRozan's backcourt partner Kyle Lowry was just 5-of-14 for 11 points.

The last time the Raptors won a playoff series was in 2001, then a five-game series over the New York Knicks. They'd been knocked from the first-round the last two years despite having homecourt advantage.

Nobody looked more miserable at the Pacers-Raptors game than Larry Bird

With the questions of whether the Raptors can find any postseason success whatsoever now in the rear-view mirror, the team will attempt to win back-to-back playoff series for the first time when they meet the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference semifinals. 

Game 1 of Raptors vs. Heat is scheduled for Tuesday night (8:00 p.m. ET) at Toronto's Air Canada Centre.