The Toronto Raptors invade the Gainbridge Fieldhouse to take on the Indiana Pacers on Saturday night. Here’s a Pacers vs Raptors Prediction. This article will include a Pacers vs Raptors Pick.
Toronto Raptors Betting Preview
The Toronto Raptors have been in great form as they’ve won six of their last seven games overall and they will be aiming for a third straight victory after routing the Cavaliers in a 126-113 road win on Thursday. Scottie Barnes led the team with 27 points, 10 rebounds, eight assists and five blocks, Immanuel Quickley added 25 points on 10 of 13 shooting while Jakob Poeltl chipped in with 20 points on seven of 10 shooting.
As a team, the Raptors shot a healthy 56 percent from the field and 12 of 31 from the 3-point line as they poured in 38 points in the third quarter to take a 13-point lead into halftime. They finished with a flurry in the fourth quarter to pull away and win comfortably on the road.
Indiana Pacers Betting Preview
Meanwhile, the Indiana Pacers have been ice-cold so far as they’ve lost 11 of their first 12 games. They will be hoping to put a halt to an ugly six-game losing streak after getting scorched by the Suns in a 133-98 road defeat on Thursday. Andrew Nembhard led the team with 21 points and eight assists, Pascal Siakam added 19 points while Tony Bradley and Aaron Nesmith each scored 10 points but no other player scored more than eight points.
As a team, the Pacers shot just 36 percent from the field and a miserly seven of 25 from the 3-point line as they got off to another slow start. They were always fighting a losing battle after allowing 39 points in the second quarter. The Pacers got next to nothing from their bench as TJ McConnell scored just five points on two of eight shooting. Jarace Walker had a night to forget as he shot zero of 10 to finish with just two points in 26 minutes of action.
Why the Indiana Pacers will win
- The Raptors have lost six of their last eight games as road favorites against Central Division opponents.
- The Pacers have won three of their last four games as home underdogs against the Raptors.
- The Raptors have failed to cover the spread in each of their last eight games as road favorites against Central Division opponents.
- The Pacers have covered the spread in seven of their last eight home games against teams that held a winning record.
Why the Toronto Raptors will win
- The Pacers have lost 12 of their last 13 games.
- The Raptors have won nine of their last 10 games against Eastern Conference opponents that held a losing record.
- The Raptors have covered the spread in nine of their last 10 games against Eastern Conference opponents that held a losing record.
- The Pacers have failed to cover the spread in each of their last five games.
Total Points Facts
- Eight of the Pacers’ last nine games as underdogs have gone UNDER the total points line.
- Each of the Raptors’ last five games as road favorites following a road win have gone UNDER the total points line.
Indiana Pacers Player Facts
- Andrew Nembhard ranks 1st in the Eastern Conference amongst qualified players for FT% (96.3%) this season.
- Pascal Siakam is one of only five qualified players in the league to be leading their team in points (24.1), rebounds (7.4) and assists (5.3) per game this season.
Toronto Raptors Player Facts
- Scottie Barnes is the only qualified player in the league averaging at least 1.5 steals and 1.5 blocks this season.
- Immanuel Quickley has recorded 11 games with 5+ assists this season – equal-most of any player in the league.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Pacers rank 30th in the league for steals per game this season (6.3).
- The Pacers rank 30th in the league for field goal percentage this season (39.9%).
- The Raptors rank 1st for fast break points (256) this season.
- The Raptors rank 1st for fast break points per game (21.3) this season.
Pacers vs Raptors Prediction
The Raptors could be shorthanded again as they are still keeping eyes on Ochai Agbaji and Collin Murray-Boyles who are both questionable, while the Pacers have ruled out Aaron Nesmith, Johnny Furphy and Bennedict Mathurin once again.
You have to feel for the Pacers who have endured such a slow start to the season and are coming into this one fresh off a bad defeat to the Suns. But they won’t get much sympathy from the Raptors who have quietly been one of the hottest teams in the league. Things will improve for the Pacers sooner or later, but I just don’t like their chances against a Raptors team playing this well. Give me the Raptors to get the win and cover at the modest line in this one.