The Toronto Raptors (50-17) put their nine-game winning streak on the line when they take on the Indiana Pacers (40-28) at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The game starts at 7 p.m. ET on Thursday, March 15, 2018, and will air on CTV Sportsnet Toronto.
The Over/Under (O/U) for the game has been set at 213.5 points with Toronto opening as a 4-point favorite.
Toronto Raptors vs. Indiana Pacers Betting Prediction
The last time the Raptors played, they beat the Brooklyn Nets, 116-102. The Raptors had a superb offensive rebounding percentage of 31.0 (above their season average of 23.0) and had an effective field goal percentage of 0.544 (above their season average of 0.537). Toronto was led by Jonas Valanciunas, who led the team in scoring with 26 points on 12-for-20 shooting.
The Pacers edged the Philadelphia 76ers in their last contest, 101-98. Indiana’s 7.8 turnover percentage was their largest advantage over Philadelphia, who had a mark of 19.9. The Pacers’ mark was better than their season average of 12.2, while the 76ers’ was above their season average of 14.7. With 19 points and 10 rebounds, Thaddeus Young had a good game for Indiana.
Based on historical performance heading into this one, ball security could play an integral role in this matchup. Toronto commits the fourth-fewest miscues in the league (turnover percentage of 12.5 percent), while the ball-hawking defense of Indiana forces the fifth-most (opponents’ turnover percentage of 14.8 percent).
Toronto comes into the game with records of 50-17 straight up (SU) and 39-28 against the spread (ATS). Of the Raptors’ 67 games, 34 have finished over the O/U total.
Meanwhile, Indiana owns records of 40-28 SU and 39-29 ATS. Of the Pacers’ 68 games, 40 have finished under the O/U total.
Valanciunas has averaged 15.6 points, 10.0 rebounds and 1.6 blocks over the last five games for Toronto.
The two teams have split their two matchups this season. The Raptors won the most recent matchup 120-115, but could not cover as 7-point favorites. The game finished with a total of 235 points, which was 17.5 points above the projected point total of 217.5 points. Toronto had a better effective field goal percentage (0.546 vs. 0.480). Indiana, meanwhile, had a better turnover percentage (8.2 vs. 10.1). Victor Oladipo scored a game-high 36 points.
Toronto Raptors vs. Indiana Pacers Pick
Free NBA Tip: SU Winner – Raptors, ATS Winner – Raptors, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
Toronto is 20-14 ATS on the road with 19 overs and 15 unders.
Indiana is 20-15 ATS at home with 20 unders, 14 overs and 1 push.
When allowing under 100 points, Indiana is 25-2 and Toronto is 23-5.
When reaching 100 points, the Raptors are 47-10 and the Pacers are 32-14.
Toronto ranks second in three pointers allowed per game (25.2) while Indiana ranks 27th (30.8).
The Raptors rank second in blocks per game (6.0) while the Pacers rank 25th (4.2).
Indiana averages 15.0 fast break points per game, which ranks third in the NBA. Toronto ranks 15th in fast break points allowed per game (11.7).
The Raptors rank sixth in points in the paint per game (48.4) while the Pacers rank 15th in points allowed in the paint per game (44.8).
Indiana ranks second in steals per game (8.7) while Toronto ranks seventh (8.1).
The Pacers average 11.9 second chance points per game, which ranks 19th in the league. The Raptors rank 24th in second chance points allowed per game (13.3).
Toronto averages 23.9 assists per game, which ranks sixth in the league. Indiana ranks 11th in assists allowed per game (22.8).
The Raptors rank fourth in points off turnovers allowed per game (14.8) while the Pacers rank seventh (15.1).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Toronto is 4-1 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs.
Indiana is 4-1 ATS with 5 unders over their last five games.
The Raptors’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 12.2, up from 8.9 for the season.
During their last five games, the Pacers have scored an average of 97.6 points per game (8.3 below their season average) and allowed an average of 95.0 points per game (9.3 below their season average).
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