Tipping off at 3:00 p.m. ET across a mild four-game NBA slate, the Indiana Pacers will face off with the Toronto Raptors.
This is the fourth and final matchup between these two Eastern Conference opponents. Toronto has come out victorious in all three of the previous matchups.
Looking at the odds for tonight’s game, the Raptors are 9.5-point favorites on DraftKings Sportsbook, with game total set at 225.5 points.
This article will look at a preview and prediction for the Sunday afternoon matchup.
Pacers at Raptors Preview
It has been a steep fall from grace for the Indiana Pacers. After falling just one game shy of an NBA Finals victory last year, they have limped to a 13-39 start to the season and sit in last place in the Eastern Conference. Tyrese Haliburton remains sidelined as he recovers from his Achilles tear, and this has become a gap year for the Pacers. On the season, Indiana is 26-26, and the game total has gone under in 31 of its 52 games played.
Rick Carlisle’s squad is scoring 110.7 points per game, which ranks 29th in the league. The Pacers also rank last in offensive rating, 29th in field-goal percentage, 24th in three-point percentage and 11th in pace. Defensively, opponents are scoring 118.4 points per game against the Pacers, which ranks 24th in the NBA. Indiana also ranks 21st in defensive rating and 26th in opponent field-goal percentage, but it does rank third in opponent three-point attempts and third in opponent three-point efficiency.
This has not been for lack of effort from Pascal Siakam, who earned an All-Star appearance by posting averages of 23.7 points, 6.8 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game. Andrew Nembhard adds 17.4 points and 7.5 assists, while Jay Huff, Aaron Nesmith and T.J. McConnell play important roles. It is a busy injury report, as in addition to Haliburton, Obi Toppin, Ivica Zubac and Kobe Brown will remain sidelined.
The Toronto Raptors have exceeded expectations on the season, sitting in fifth place in the Eastern Conference with a 31-22 record. Toronto most recently produced a victory over the Bulls on Thursday, and it is 6-3 in its last nine. On the season, the Raptors are 26-27 against the spread, while the game total has remained under in 31 of their 53 games played.
Darko Rajakovic’s squad is averaging 114.0 points per game, which ranks 23rd in the NBA. The Raptors also rank 17th in offensive rating, 11th in field-goal percentage, 26th in three-point production and 21st in pace. Defensively, opponents are scoring 112.4 points per game against Toronto, which is the eighth-best rate in the NBA. It also ranks sixth in defensive rating, eighth in opponent field-goal percentage and second in opponent three-point percentage.
Scottie Barnes has ascended to a true All-Star talent, posting averages of 19.3 points, 8.3 rebounds and 5.6 assists per game. Brandon Ingram has successfully filled the role of the score-first option Toronto was hoping for, adding 22.2 points, 5.9 rebounds and 3.7 assists. Immanuel Quickley is a game-time decision, while Jakob Poeltl remains sidelined.
Pacers at Raptors Prediction, Best Bet
These are two teams with different goals for the season, and expect that to be evident in this matchup. Toronto has found a clear identity as a defensive-minded team filled with size and athleticism and more offensive talent than it sometimes gets credit for.
In contrast, the Pacers are a high-powered offense that is running without its engine. They will return to being a high-level team when Tyrese Haliburton is healthy, but this does not seem to be on the table for this season. Points have been difficult to come by all season for Indiana, and this will especially be the case against this Toronto defense.
The Raptors produced a victory by a score of 129-111 in the first matchup, 97-95 in the second, and 115-101 in the most recent game between these two sides. They are 2-1 against the spread in these matchups.
It feels as if the Raptors have gotten better as the season has progressed, while the Pacers are beginning to fully bottom out. The 9.5 line is a notable spread, but a margin that the Raptors have won by in four of their last seven wins. Expect them to reach this and keep the Pacers’ offensive attack completely under control throughout. Back the Raptors to assert themselves as the better team, and don’t be shocked if this game gets completely out of control in their favor.
