The Toronto Raptors (13-7) will attempt to prolong a five-game home winning streak when they challenge the Indiana Pacers (12-10) at Air Canada Centre. The games Over/Under (O/U) opened at 215.5 points with Toronto set as a 6.5-point favorite. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET on Friday, December 1, 2017, and it can be seen on The Sports Network.
Indiana Pacers vs. Toronto Raptors ATS Preview
The Pacers were blown out by the Houston Rockets in their last contest, 118-97. Indiana’s Victor Oladipo put together a solid game, putting up 19 points, five assists and five steals. Houston did a fantastic job of making free throws (16-21; 76.2 percent). Indiana, meanwhile, had a better turnover percentage (13.4 vs. 15.1).
The last time the Raptors played, they topped the Charlotte Hornets, 126-113. Toronto was lifted by Kyle Lowry, who was the top scorer from either team with 36 points on 12-for-18 shooting. Toronto played a nearly perfect game. They had a phenomenally low turnover percentage of 8.0 (better than their season average of 13.2) and an offensive rebounding percentage of 27.5 (above their season average of 21.2). Charlotte recorded marks of 11.3 and 20.0, respectively, for those same stats.
From an effective field goal percentage perspective, Toronto should have a considerable edge. The sweet-shooting Raptors offense ranks third in the league in that metric at 0.554, while the porous Indiana defense is ranked 26th in effective field goal percentage allowed (0.537). ,
Of Indiana’s 22 games, 11 have finished over the projected point total, while 11 of Toronto’s 20 games have finished under the projected point total. The Raptors have the substantial advantage straight up (SU) (13-7 vs. 12-10), but both teams have comparable against the spread (ATS) records. Toronto is 12-8, while Indiana is 13-9 ATS.
Both teams have had a player heat up over their last five games. For the Pacers, it’s been Lance Stephenson, who has averaged 11.4 points, 7.6 rebounds and 3.4 assists, while the Raptors have gotten great contributions from Lowry (19.2 points, 9.2 rebounds, 7.0 assists and 1.6 steals).
These teams have already met once this season. The two teams combined for 211 points in that game, which was under the projected point total of 217. The Pacers won 107-104, covering as 2-point underdogs. The Pacers played a nearly flawless game. They had a free throw rate of 0.241 and an offensive rebounding percentage of 22.2. The Raptors were 0.185 and 18.4, respectively, for those same stats. Lowry recorded a double-double in the loss, with 24 points and 10 rebounds.
Indiana Pacers at Toronto Raptors Odds Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Raptors, ATS Winner – Raptors, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- The Raptors rank fourth in three pointers allowed per game (25.9) while the Pacers rank 23rd (30.8).
- Toronto averages 23.1 assists per game, which ranks 11th in the league. Indiana ranks 18th in assists allowed per game (23.2).
- Indiana averages 12.3 second chance points per game, which ranks 14th in the NBA. Toronto ranks 26th in second chance points allowed per game (13.8).
- Indiana is 7-5 ATS on the road with 7 overs and 5 unders.
- At home, Toronto is 5-3 ATS with 5 overs and 3 unders.
- Indiana is 5-0 when they allow below 100 points, while Toronto is 6-1.
- In games where they score above 100 points, the Pacers are 11-4 and the Raptors are 12-4.
- The Raptors rank fifth in rebounds allowed per game (41.2) while the Pacers rank 14th (43.3).
- Toronto averages 48.4 points in the paint per game, which ranks fourth in the league. Indiana ranks 26th in points allowed in the paint per game (48.3).
- The Pacers average 14.7 fast break points per game, which ranks third in the league. The Raptors rank 24th in fast break points allowed per game (12.4).
- The Pacers rank fifth in points off turnovers allowed per game (15.0) while the Raptors rank 11th (16.4).
- Toronto ranks sixth in blocks allowed per game (4.3) while Indiana ranks 26th (5.7).
Bettings Trends:
- Toronto is 3-2 ATS with 4 unders and 1 over in their last five games.
- Over their last five games, Indiana is 3-2 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs.
- The Raptors average margin of victory in their last five games has been 9.0, up from 7.3 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Pacers have scored an average of 105.6 points per game (2.7 below their season average) and allowed an average of 107.2 points per game (0.6 below their season average).
