The Toronto Raptors (21-36) head to Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis on Monday night as they take on the Indiana Pacers (33-25).
Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET for tonight’s intraconference encounter, and the Pacers are on the hunt for a fourth straight win in the NBA. Meanwhile, the Raptors are looking to maintain their unbeaten streak following the All-Star Break.
Indiana will be keen on consolidating their chances at reaching the playoffs here and carry on their hot streak. Bet Rivers has them as 6.5-point favorites (-110), whilst the game total is set at O/U 245. Be sure to take a look at our pick for tonight’s matchup below!
Last Time Out
The home team has returned from the break in good form, winning back-to-back games against the Detroit Pistons (129-115) and the red-hot Dallas Mavericks (133-111). Sunday’s triumph over Dallas proves just how strong the Pacers can be as Indiana were able to end the Mavs’ seven-game winning streak.
The Pacers are looking to extend their three-game streak in this one, and their offense has been on fire lately. Rick Carlisle’s team have put up at least 125 points in all three of those victories. All-Star guard Tyrese Haliburton has been controlling things of late, and he had himself a double-double on Sunday with 17 points and 10 assists.
The Raptors will be full of confidence as they enter the second of their two-game road trip on Monday. That’s because they have secured successive victories since the break and defeated the Atlanta Hawks 123-121 on Friday. Scottie Barnes put in an encouraging display, recording a double-double with 20 points and 10 assists.
Having put up at least 121 points in those two wins since the break, the offense is in good rhythm at the moment. Toronto also beat the Brooklyn Nets 121-93 in a blowout triumph, with Barnes again completing a double-double. However, tonight’s matchup will be up against much tougher opposition.
Injuries & Team News
Indiana are playing in the second of a back-to-back here and were without Aaron Nesmith against the Mavericks due to an ankle injury. However, they aren’t expected to have any other issues.
Guard RJ Barrett missed Toronto’s victory over the Hawks due to a knee injury. However, he is expected to return for the clash tonight. The Raptors, therefore, don’t have any major concerns.
Head-to-Head The Pacers and the Raptors have split the season series 1-1. Indiana secured a narrow 127-125 victory at Scotiabank Arena earlier this month in the most recent meeting. However, it was Toronto who picked up the win when the two teams last clashed at Gainbridge Fieldhouse back in November, sealing a 132-131 victory.
Betting Trends & Stats
It’s no secret just how strong the hosts are on offense and they are averaging the most points per game (ppg) across the league (124.0). A Toronto team that has allowed the 20th-most ppg this season (117.4) may struggle to contain the Pacers.
The Raptors have performed well offensively of late, and there’s a chance that streak may continue as Indiana are allowing the third-most ppg in the NBA (122.0). However, the Pacers have managed to hold their last two opponents to 115 points or less.
The against-the-spread (ATS) stats bode well for the home team as they have the fourth-best ATS record in the league (31-25-3). Nevertheless, the Pacers have covered in just 47.1% of games when they are the home favorites. They are 7-6-0 at a rest disadvantage, but are 2-8-0 ATS after no rest.
Toronto are just 27-29-1 ATS this season, and have covered in just 50% of games on the road. Despite the Raptors winning their last two away from Scotiabank Arena, they are just 9-20 on the road this season, losing eight of their last 11. Darko Rajaković’s team have failed to make the most of a rest advantage, going 6-10-0 ATS.
Key Players
The return of point guard Haliburton has aided the Pacers’ recent surge. He is averaging the most assists per game in the NBA (11.7), and has put up at least 21 points in three of his last five games, also hitting double figures for assists in six straight outings.
Former Raptor Pascal Siakam will be looking to get one over his old team here, and he put up 23 points in Toronto last month. He is averaging 20.8 points, 6.7 rebounds and 4.5 assists on the season. Center Myles Turner put up 33 points against Dallas, making 10 of his 15 field goal attempts, so will be another key player.
The visitors have received a boost by the fact that Barrett has not been included on the injury report. The guard is the team’s leading points scorer with 20.8 ppg. Barnes (20.0 points, 8.2 rebounds and 6.0 assists) will be another scoring option. Center Jakob Poeltl leads the team in both average rebounds (8.6) and blocks (1.5).
Best Bet
Indiana’s hot offense should continue tonight with the likes of Haliburton, Siakam and Turner leading the way. The dominant win over a strong Dallas team is incredibly encouraging, and the Pacers have lost just two of their last eight on their own court.
The Raptors have struggled on the road, and despite looking in decent shape at the moment, the Pacers will be a lot harder to beat. Toronto has the rest advantage here which may make an impact, but it looks difficult to see how they’ll be able to keep up with the elite offense of Indiana.
Indiana Pacers -6.5 (-110 with Bet Rivers)
