The league’s top scoring defense will be on the road at Scotiabank Arena, when the Indiana Pacers (20-11) battle with the Toronto Raptors (23-9). The game will air on Fox Sports Midwest – Indiana at 7:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday, December 19, 2018.
Indiana Pacers at Toronto Raptors ATS Odds
Both teams lost in their last contest. The Pacers (12-point favorites) were defeated by the Cleveland Cavaliers, 92-91, while the Raptors (3-point underdogs) fell to the Denver Nuggets, 95-86. The Indiana game went 33.5 points under the projected point total of 216.5, while the Toronto game went 28.5 points under the projected point total of 209.5.
Indiana had a better free throw rate (0.140 vs. 0.109) while Toronto held Denver to an offensive rebounding percentage of 20.8 (below their season average of 27.4). Kawhi Leonard played a key role for Toronto with 29 points and 14 rebounds. Meanwhile, Myles Turner had a solid performance for Indiana, recording 12 points and 10 rebounds.
The Raptors held the advantage in this series last year, taking three out of four games. In the most recent matchup, Toronto won 92-73. Toronto’s effective field goal percentage was its biggest advantage over Indiana. The Raptors had a rate of 0.482 while the Pacers posted a mark of 0.339. This is the first time these teams will clash this year.
Vegas is known to set the total high when the Pacers are involved, as 20 of their 30 games have ended under the total. Indiana comes into the game with records of 20-11 straight up (SU) and 15-14-1 against the spread (ATS).
Contrary to Indiana, games involving the Raptors have a tendency to go over the projected point total (56.3 percent). Additionally, Toronto is 23-9 SU and 15-17 ATS.
The Pacers’ Thaddeus Young has been playing at a high level over his last five games, averaging 19 points,9.6 rebounds,1.4 steals per game. Meanwhile, Serge Ibaka has averaged 19 points,7.8 rebounds,2.0 blocks during that same time frame for the Raptors.
This showdown pits one of the NBA’s top offenses against one of its elite defenses. Toronto currently ranks second in offensive efficiency and Indiana is third in defensive efficiency. Also, the Pacers rank 25th in free throw attempt (FTA) rate (0.179), while the Raptors rank fifth in opponents’ FTA rate (0.179).
Pacers at Raptors Betting Pick
Free Pick: SU Winner – Raptors, ATS Winner – Raptors, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- The Pacers rank 2 in points allowed in the paint per game (42.193548387096776) while the Raptors rank 8 (46.3125).
- Toronto ranks eighth in three pointers attempted per game (33.6) while Indiana ranks 28th (25.1).
- The Pacers rank third in points off turnovers per game (19.2) while the Raptors rank 13th in points off turnovers allowed per game (16.4).
- Indiana ranks fifth in steals per game (9.0) while Toronto ranks 14th (8.1).
- Toronto ranks 13 in blocks per game (5.4375) while Indiana ranks 21 in blocks allowed per game (5.548387096774193).
- The Raptors rank third in fast break points per game (18.1) while the Pacers rank 22nd in fast break points allowed per game (14.5).
- The Pacers rank 10 in assists per game (25.129032258064516) while the Raptors rank 19 in assists allowed per game (24.25).
- Indiana ranks fourth in second chance points allowed per game (11.4) while Toronto ranks 16th (13.5).
- Indiana is 11-2 when they allow less than 100 points, while Toronto is 6-1.
- The Pacers are 17-5 when they score over 100 points, while the Raptors are 22-7.
- Toronto is 6-9 ATS at home, while Indiana is 7-7-1 ATS on the road.
- The Pacers have 8 unders and 7 overs in 15 road games.
- The Raptors have 10 overs and 5 unders in 15 home games.
Bettings Trends:
- The Pacers are 4-1 ATS over their last five games, while the Raptors are 2-3.
- In their last five games, Indiana has 5 unders, while Toronto has 3 unders and 2 overs.
- The Pacers’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 9.2, up from 5.3 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Raptors have scored an average of 108.6 points per game (6.2 below their season average) and allowed an average of 103.8 points per game (3.5 below their season average).
