The Toronto Raptors (13-7) welcome the Indiana Pacers (12-10) to Air Canada Centre as they attempt to extend their five-game home winning streak. The game starts at 7:30 p.m. ET on Friday, December 1, 2017, and will air on The Sports Network.
The Over/Under (O/U) for the game has been set at 215.5 points with Toronto opening as a 6.5-point favorite.
Indiana Pacers at Toronto Raptors Betting Prediction
The Pacers are trying to rebound after their 118-97 loss to the Houston Rockets in their last outing. Houston’s free throw rate was their largest advantage over Indiana. The Rockets had a rate of 0.186 (below their season average of 0.241), while the Pacers posted a mark of 0.068 (below their season average of 0.186). Victor Oladipo played well for Indiana, recording 19 points, five assists and five steals.
In the Raptors’ last matchup, they were victorious over the Charlotte Hornets, 126-113. The Raptors had a fantastically low turnover percentage of 8.0 (better than their season average of 13.2) and had an offensive rebounding percentage of 27.5 (above their season average of 21.2). Kyle Lowry was the top scorer from either team with 36 points on 12-for-18 shooting.
When looking at effective field goal percentage, Toronto figures to have a substantial advantage. The sweet-shooting Raptors offense ranks third in the NBA in that metric at 0.554, while the bottom-tier Indiana defense is ranked 26th in effective field goal percentage allowed (0.537).
Indiana heads into the game with records of 12-10 straight up (SU) and 13-9 against the spread (ATS). Vegas is extremely accurate when setting the O/U total of Pacers games, with an even split between overs and unders.
Meanwhile, Toronto is 13-7 SU and 12-8 ATS. Vegas is known to set the total high when the Raptors are involved, as 55.0 percent of their games have gone under the O/U total.
Both teams have had a player take their game to the next level over their last five games. Lance Stephenson (11.4 points, 7.6 rebounds and 3.4 assists) has been stellar for the Pacers while Lowry (19.2 points, 9.2 rebounds, 7.0 assists and 1.6 steals) has contributed greatly to the Raptors.
This will be the second game of the season between these two teams. Lowry scored a game-high 24 points in the first game, in which the Raptors lost 107-104, unable to cover as 2-point favorites. The game finished with a total of 211 points, which was 6 points below the projected point total of 217 points. The Pacers knocked down 20 of their 27 free throws (74.1 percent) and had a better offensive rebounding percentage (22.2 vs. 18.4).
Indiana Pacers vs. Toronto Raptors Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Raptors, ATS Winner – Raptors, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
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 hold opponents under 100 points, while Toronto is 6-1.
The Raptors are 12-4 when they score over 100 points, while the Pacers are 11-4.
Toronto ranks fourth in points in the paint per game (48.4) while Indiana ranks 26th in points allowed in the paint per game (48.3).
The Pacers rank third in fast break points per game (14.7) while the Raptors rank 24th in fast break points allowed per game (12.4).
Toronto ranks sixth in blocks allowed per game (4.3) while Indiana ranks 26th (5.7).
The Raptors rank fourth in three pointers allowed per game (25.9) while the Pacers rank 23rd (30.8).
Indiana ranks 14th in second chance points per game (12.3) while Toronto ranks 26th in second chance points allowed per game (13.8).
The Raptors rank fifth in rebounds allowed per game (41.2) while the Pacers rank 14th (43.3).
Toronto ranks 11th in assists per game (23.1) while Indiana ranks 18th in assists allowed per game (23.2).
The Pacers rank fifth in points off turnovers allowed per game (15.0) while the Raptors rank 11th (16.4).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Indiana is 3-2 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs.
Toronto is 3-2 ATS with 4 unders and 1 over over their last five games.
The Pacers have been outscored by an average of 1.6 points in their last five games. On the season, Indiana has defeated opponents by an average of 0.5 points.
During their last five games, the Raptors have scored an average of 108.4 points per game (2.0 below their season average) and allowed an average of 99.4 points per game (3.7 below their season average).
