The Toronto Raptors welcome the Indiana Pacers in an Eastern Conference Quarterfinals Game 7 matchup that pits the fifth-ranked offense against the third-ranked defense. The game gets underway at 8:00 pm ET on Sunday, May 1 and will air on TOR and TNT.
The Raptors were blown out by the Pacers 101-83 on Friday. Jonas Valanciunas was one of the best players for the Raptors, finishing with 14 points, nine rebounds, and two steals.
The game should be a showdown of strength against strength, as the high-octane offense of Toronto (fifth in the NBA with an offensive efficiency of 107.5) takes on the elite defense of Indiana (third in the league with a defensive efficiency of 100.7). Also, the Pacers commit the fourth-fewest errors in the NBA (turnover percentage of 14.5%), while the disruptive defense of the Raptors causes the fourth-most (opponents’ turnover percentage of 13.6%).
The Raptors have gone 59-29 Straight Up (SU) and 46-41-1 Against The Spread (ATS). Over their last 10 games, they have had success covering the spread (7-3). Opposing teams know they’re in for a battle when they play Toronto’s stingy defense. The Raptors are one of the top teams when it comes to defense, allowing just 98.0 points per game.
On the other side, the Pacers have 48-40 SU and 46-42 ATS records. Indiana has records of 48-40 SU and 46-42 ATS against the East. Indiana’s defense is one of the top in the league, with opponents shooting only .437 from the field. Indiana is the best team in the league at scoring points off turnovers with 18.8 per game.
Indiana beat Toronto in their most recent meeting this season, but the Raptors still lead the head-to-head record, 6-4 SU, over the last 10 matchups. The teams are even ATS, with a 5-5 record.
Predictions: SU Winner – Tor
Notes
“Toronto is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games “.
“Toronto is 7-3 SU in its last 10 games “.
“The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Toronto’s last 7 games “.
“Toronto is 5-2 ATS in its last 7 games at home”.
“Toronto is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games at home”.
“Toronto is 12-5 ATS in its last 17 games when playing Indiana”.
“Toronto is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Indiana”.
“Toronto is 10-4 SU in its last 14 games when playing Indiana”.
“The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Toronto’s last 6 games when playing Indiana”.
“Toronto is 6-2 ATS in its last 8 games when playing at home against Indiana”.
“Toronto is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games when playing at home against Indiana”.
Toronto scores an average of 102.0 points per game (ranked 16th), while Indiana allows 99.9 points per game (ranked seventh).
On average, Toronto puts up 104.4 points per home game (ranked 15th), while Indiana gives up 101.7 points per away game (ranked eighth).
In its last game, Indiana won by an 18-point margin. Toronto is 10-5 in games decided by a margin of 18 points or more. Indiana has a 7-5 record in blowouts.
Indiana has an exceptional 35-7 record when it allows under 100 points this season. Toronto is 15-14 when it scores under 100.
The Indiana Pacers have a poor 13-33 record in games where they have allowed at least 100 points. The Toronto Raptors are 44-15 when they hit the century mark.
The Pacers have an offensive rating of 103.1 (ranked 21st), while the Raptors rank sixth for their defensive rating of 103.4.
Toronto has an average field goal percentage of 44.7%. Indiana is a losing 12-24 when opponents have a similar or higher field goal percentage.
The Toronto Raptors rank lower for their field goal percentage (19th) than they do for their effective field goal percentage (15th), but the Indiana Pacers have a better FG% ranking (14th) than their EFF% ranking (20th).
On average, the Indiana Pacers make 21.1 assists per game and the Toronto Raptors make 18.5. Indiana is ranked 22nd, while Toronto is ranked 29th.
Toronto makes an average of 5.4 blocks per game (ranked 11th), while Indiana makes 4.8 blocks per game (ranked 16th).
The Toronto Raptors rank 15th in offensive rebounding, while the Indiana Pacers rank 13th in defensive rebounding.
Making 9.0 steals per game, Indiana is ranked third in the NBA. Toronto has a solid 27-12 record when it allows at least 8 steals.
