It figures to be a low-scoring affair as the Toronto Raptors (21-8), 6-point underdogs, head to Indiana to play the Pacers (20-10). The game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 209.5 points and it can be seen on NBATV at 7 p.m. ET on Monday, December 23, 2019.
Toronto Raptors vs. Indiana Pacers Betting Odds
Neither team was able to cover in their last outing. The Raptors (6.5-point favorites) defeated the Dallas Mavericks, 110-107, while the Pacers (5.5-point underdogs) fell to the Milwaukee Bucks, 117-89. The Toronto game finished 13.5 points under the projected point total of 230.5, while the Indiana game finished 3.5 points under the projected point total of 209.5.
The Raptors forced 17 turnovers and had a free throw rate of 0.277 (above their season average of 0.213). Indiana, meanwhile, held Milwaukee to an effective field goal percentage of 0.495 (below their season average of 0.563). Domantas Sabonis fueled Indiana with 19 points, 18 rebounds and five assists. Meanwhile, Kyle Lowry played well for Toronto, finishing with 32 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds.
The Raptors edged out the Pacers in this series last year, taking two out of three games. In the last contest, Indiana won 110-106. The Pacers’ turnover percentage was their largest advantage over the Raptors. Indiana had a rate of 5.5, while Toronto posted a mark of 8.1. This will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams.
There does not appear to be a trend for Raptors games in regards to the total, as there has been an even split between games finishing over and under. Toronto heads into the contest with records of 21-8 straight up (SU) and 16-12 against the spread (ATS).
Vegas tends to place the total high when the Pacers are involved, as 58.6 percent of their games have finished under the O/U total. Moreover, Indiana owns records of 20-10 SU and 16-11-2 ATS.
The Raptors’ Lowry has been playing well over his last five games, averaging 18 points,8.4 assists,5.2 rebounds,1.6 steals per game. Meanwhile, Myles Turner has averaged 14 points,5.8 rebounds,2.2 blocks during that same time frame for the Pacers.
Points could be at a premium in this meeting between two of the league’s top defenses. Indiana ranks fifth in defensive efficiency (102.8) and Toronto is second (101.6).
Raptors at Pacers ATS Pick
Pick: SU Winner – Pacers, ATS Winner – Raptors, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- The Pacers average 5.2 blocks per game, which ranks 11th in the NBA. The Raptors rank 20th in blocks allowed per game (5.4).
- Indiana ranks sixth in three pointers allowed per game (31.9) while Toronto ranks 29th (39.0).
- The Pacers rank seventh in assists allowed per game (22.9) while the Raptors rank 25th (25.4).
- Toronto ranks third in points allowed in the paint per game (42.6) while Indiana ranks 18th (48.9).
- Toronto ranks first in fast break points per game (19.1) while Indiana ranks 15th (12.8).
- The Raptors rank third in steals per game (8.5) while the Pacers rank 24th (7.0).
- The Raptors rank second in points off turnovers per game (19.9) while the Pacers rank 17th (17.1).
- Indiana ranks 23rd in second chance points allowed per game (13.8) while Toronto ranks 27th (14.4).
- Indiana ranks 10th in rebounds allowed per game (44.7) while Toronto ranks 29th (48.4).
- In games where they hold opponents below 100 points, Toronto is 9-1 and Indiana is 5-1.
- When scoring over 100 points, the Raptors are 19-6 and the Pacers are 20-5.
- Toronto is 6-7 ATS on the road, while Indiana is 9-5-2 ATS at home.
- The total has gone under in 9 of the Pacers’ 16 home games, while 9 of the Raptors’ 13 road games have gone under.
Bettings Trends:
- In their last five games, Toronto and Indiana have both had 3 unders and 2 overs.
- The Pacers are 5-0 ATS over their last five games, while the Raptors are 3-2.
- The Pacers’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 4.2, up from 4.1 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Raptors have scored an average of 117.4 points per game (5.4 above their season average) and allowed an average of 107.8 points per game (1.9 above their season average).
