Indiana Pacers vs. Toronto Raptors Prediction, Preview, and Odds
It’s a battle of Eastern Conference teams on opposite sides of the cut line for the postseason as they collide north of the border. The Indiana Pacers take the trip to Canada as they lock up with the Toronto Raptors Wednesday night. Indiana comes in off a 111-102 road loss to Charlotte Monday night, losing outright as a 10-point favorite in their previous contest. Toronto was drubbed 122-99 at home by San Antonio Monday night, losing outright as a six-point favorite in their previous contest. In the all-time regular season series between the teams, the Pacers own a 55-48 advantage but the Raptors took the first meeting this season, prevailing 132-131 on the road back on November 22, 2023.
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Indiana Pacers Looking to Regroup on the Road
Indiana lost for the second time in three games as they were knocked off on the road by the lowly Hornets Monday night. The Pacers entered Tuesday 30-25 on the season and stood third in the Central Division, 6.5 games behind the Cavaliers for the top spot. They were seventh in the Eastern Conference playoff picture, 12 games behind the Celtics for the top spot and tied with Orlando to remain in a guaranteed playoff spot. Against Charlotte, Indiana trailed by one after one quarter, led by one at the half and trailed by one after three quarters before wilting down the stretch. The Pacers were tied with 8:02 to play before giving up an 8-1 run that left them down 96-89 with 6:05 remaining. They never got closer than three the rest of the way. Indiana shot 50.6% from the floor, including eight of 30 from three-point range, and allowed Charlotte to shoot 53.7% in the game. Myles Turner led the Pacers with 22 points in the loss.
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) February 13, 2024
For the year, Indiana is 1 in the league in scoring offense with 123.7 points per game this season. The Pacers are 30 in rebounding with an average of 40.7 boards a night while they are 1 in assists by dishing out 30.9 dimes per contest. Indiana is 28 in scoring defense as they allow an average of 122.2 points per game on the year. Tyrese Haliburton leads the Pacers in scoring with 21.9 points plus 11.7 assists per game. Bennedict Mathurin (14.1 points), Myles Turner (17.2 points, 6.9 rebounds, 1.8 blocks), Jalen Smith (10.8 points, 5.6 rebounds) and Pascal Siakam (21.9 points, 6.5 rebounds) are solid scoring options this season. Aaron Nesmith (12.7 points), Obi Toppin (10.6 points), Jarace Walker, T.J. McConnell, Andrew Nembhard and Isaiah Jackson are other rotation pieces for Indiana. The Pacers are 1 in the league in field goal percentage as they are shooting 50.8% from the floor as a team. Indiana is 9 in the league in threes per game as they splash 13.6 triples per contest and the team is 4 by shooting 38% from beyond the arc on the year.
Smith (back) and Johnson (illness) have been ruled out for this game. Mathurin (knee) and Haliburton (hamstring) are questionable here. Watch for any information regarding their status heading toward tip-off.
Toronto Raptors Try to Snap Slide
Toronto lost their second straight and fifth in the last seven games as they were drubbed by the struggling Spurs Monday night at home. The Raptors fell to 19-35 on the season and stood last in the Atlantic Division, 22.5 games behind the Celtics for the top spot. They were 12 in the Eastern Conference standings entering Friday, 10.5 games behind the Magic for the final guaranteed playoff spot and five games back of the Hawks for the final spot in the play-in tournament. Against San Antonio, Toronto trailed 10-0 out of the gate and struggled the rest of the way. The Raptors were down six after the opening quarter and things went downhill from there. Toronto trailed by 17 at the half and by as many as 31 in the second half en route to the loss. The Raptors shot 39.8% from the floor, including eight of 31 from three-point range, and turned the ball over 19 times in the game. Gradey Dick led Toronto with 18 points off the bench in the loss.
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) February 13, 2024
This season, Toronto stands 20 in scoring offense as they put up an average of 113.7 points per game on the season. The Raptors are 15 in rebounding with 43.4 boards a night while they are 3 by dishing out an average of 29.1 assists a night. Toronto stands 20 in scoring defense as they allow an average of 117.6 points a night this season. Scottie Barnes is leading Toronto this season in scoring as he puts up an average of 19.9 points, 8.1 rebounds and 5.9 assists for the Raptors. RJ Barrett (19.1 points, 5.3 rebounds), Bruce Brown (11.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, 2.8 assists) and Gary Trent Jr. (11.5 points) are each averaging in double figures. Toronto looks to Jakob Poeltl (10.9 points, 8.4 rebounds), Immanuel Quickley (15.5 points), Chris Boucher, Kelly Olynyk, Jordan Nwora, Gradey Dick, Garrett Temple and Jalen McDaniels to provide some sort of secondary scoring punch. The Raptors are 14 in the league in field goal percentage as they shoot 47.6% from the floor as a team. Toronto stands 25 by knocking down 11.7 three-pointers a night while they are 24 in three-point field goal percentage as they sink 35.7% of their attempts on the season.
Barrett (personal) is questionable for this contest so watch for any updates.
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Best Bets for this Game
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Both teams have had their struggles heading into the All-Star break with the Pacers stumbling with their loss to Hornets while Toronto was blasted by the Spurs. The Raptors are in the cellar of the Atlantic Division and are going nowhere fast. This is a return appearance by Siakam, who was traded to Indiana last month in the deal that brought Brown to the 6ix. Indiana is banged up right now but hopefully at least a couple of their injured guys can take the floor ahead of the All-Star break. Facing a Toronto team that is reeling, even on the road, works in their favor. Look for the Pacers to earn the victory here to finish the first half on a positive note.
Prediction: Indiana Pacers -3.5
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Indiana entered Tuesday having seen the over post a 30-25 mark in their first 55 games this season. The Pacers are 18th in the league in turnovers as they commit 13.5 turnovers per contest. Indiana is the second-fastest team in the league in relation to tempo with an average of 102.3 possessions per contest on the year. Toronto has seen the over post a 28-26 mark in their 54 games in relation to the total this season heading into Thursday night. The Raptors enter this game 15th in the league in turnovers by committing an average of 13.4 per contest this season while the team is average in tempo, ranking 15th in pace with 98.8 possessions a night. We’re looking at a banged up Indiana squad and a weak Toronto team. Look for this game to wind up short of the total.
Prediction: Under 243.5
Chris King has been immersed in the world of professional and collegiate sports for more than three decades. Whether it's playing pickup games or being involved in organized sports to being a fan, he's checked all the boxes. From the NFL to arena football, the NHL to the KHL, the NBA to the WNBA to college hoops, and even MLB to the KBO. If it's out there, he's covered it and bet on it as well, as Chris has been an expert bettor in his career. Before joining Winners and Whiners back in 2015, his work appeared around the internet and in print. He's written books for Ruckus Books about college basketball, the NBA, NFL, MLB, NHL, golf, and the World Cup. If you're looking for the inside track on hitting a winner, do yourself a favor and read what Chris has to say.
