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Pacers at Raptors Preview

VegasInsider Staff
VegasInsider Staff Sports Betting Expert
3 minute read

By Kevin Rogers
VegasInsider.com

Straight Up (SU), Against the Spread (ATS)

Betting Odds Breakdown

Toronto opened as a 5-point home favorite with a total of 219.

Eye Test

The Pacers (33-23) dropped six consecutive games prior to beating the Eastern Conference-leading Bucks in the final game before the All-Star break. Indiana is still 14 games behind Milwaukee for the top spot in the Central division, while settling into the sixth playoff position in the East, seven games ahead of Brooklyn.

The Raptors (41-15) had their 15-game winning streak snapped in a road loss to the Nets before the All-Star break, but rebounded nicely in a 118-101 triumph over Phoenix on Friday as 8.5-point favorites. Toronto owns a 1.5-game edge over Boston for first place in the Atlantic division, but the Raptors are 6.5 games behind the Bucks for the top seed in the Eastern Conference.

Current Form

Indiana has won two straight games since the six-game skid, capped off by Friday's 106-98 victory at New York to avenge a home loss to the Knicks on February 1. However, six of the last eight wins for the Pacers have come against teams owning losing records.

Toronto is in the midst of a 16-1 run the last 17 games, which includes eight consecutive wins at Scotiabank Arena. The Raptors limited the Suns to 6-of-34 shooting from three-point range on Friday, while Pascal Siakam paced the defending champions with 37 points and 12 rebounds.

Head-to-Head

Indiana captured the first matchup at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in overtime on December 23 in a 120-115 victory as 5.5-point favorites. The Pacers squandered a 10-point lead as the Raptors played without Siakam, while Indiana had six players finish with double-figure scoring.

The Raptors defeated the Pacers twice in a three-day span in early February, starting with a 119-118 triumph as 5.5-point home favorites on February 5. The Pacers squandered a 15-point halftime lead, while getting outscored 16-4 in the final 3:32 of regulation. Toronto topped Indiana on the road two nights later, 115-106, marking the third 'over' in three matchups this season.

Inside the Stats (Home/Away)

Points Per Game:
Indiana 109.7 (109.4)
Toronto 113.0 (116.9)

Points Allowed:
Indiana 107.4 (108.5)
Toronto 106.5 (108.4)

Home-Away Records

-- Indiana 14-13 SU, 16-11 ATS
-- Toronto 22-7 SU, 18-11 ATS

Situational (One Day of Rest)

Both these teams have excelled with only one day between games this season as the Pacers own a 24-13 SU and 22-14-1 ATS mark, while the Raptors are 27-6 SU and 23-10 ATS.

Indiana owns an impressive 7-1 ATS record in its last eight road games with one day of rest, although only one of those wins came straight-up in the underdog role. Since losing at home to Boston on Christmas, the Raptors have posted a perfect 6-0 SU/ATS mark in their past six home contests on one day of rest.

Score Projection

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Betcha Didn’t Know

For as good as the Raptors have been at home this season, the last time they covered consecutive contests at Scotiabank Arena came on December 14 and 16 against Brooklyn and Cleveland, respectively. Toronto has played four sets of back-to-back home games since then and have gone 1-1 ATS each time.

VI Prediction Tool

The VegasInsider.com Prediction resource gives an edge to either team in eight specific categories listed above and there are instances where both clubs receive a positive edge (). Depending on how you weigh the below factors could provide more reason to fade or follow those teams in your wagers.

VI Edge Predictions
Categories Indiana Pacers Toronto Raptors
Eye Test -
Current Form -
Head-to-Head -
Inside the Stats -
Home-Away -
Situational
Score Projection -
Betcha Didn't Know -
Expert Picks - -

Total Talk (Over-Under)

Indiana: 30-25-1 (Away, 14-13 Over)
Toronto: 30-25-1 (Home, 17-12 Over)

The Pacers have hit the 'over' in nine of the last 13 road games, while cashing the 'over' in eight of the past 11 contests overall.

The Raptors nailed five consecutive 'overs' at home prior to Friday's 'under' against the Suns. Toronto is riding a 7-2 'over' run the last nine games against Eastern Conference foes.

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