Indiana (33-23) at Toronto (41-15)
When: Sunday, February 23rd, 2020
Where: Scotiabank Arena,
Toronto, Ontario
Time: 6:05 ET | TV: FS Indiana
Opening Odds: Toronto -5.5/219.5
The Indiana Pacers are showing signs of life again with wins before and after the All-Star Break, snapping a five-game skid. One of those setbacks was to the Toronto Raptors, who the Pacers will look to beat on Sunday. Indiana has lost six of eight overall and have covered the spread in just five of those games. On the year, they’re 29-25-2 against the spread and three of those ATS losses were to Toronto as they’ve failed to cover in all three meetings. This could be a preview of a first-round playoff series. The Raptors are currently the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference standings while the Pacers are currently the No. 6 seed, but it’s unlikely Indiana will fall to No. 7, as they have a seven game cushion there. Meanwhile, Toronto is 41-15 on the year and is 31-24-1 against the spread. They’ve won 16 of their last 17 games and are 11-6 against the spread in that span. They’ve won eight in a row at home, covering the spread in six of those. The Raptors are 6.5 games behind NBA-best Milwaukee entering Saturday’s action and 1.5 ahead of No. 3 Boston.
The Pacers season-long six-game losing streak included two losses to Toronto and home setbacks to the New York Knicks, Brooklyn Nets and New Orleans Pelicans. They’ve rebounded with back-to-back wins over Milwaukee and New York. They are eighth in the NBA in points per game allowed at 107.4 but are over two points above that during the last eight games (109.6). They also gave up 116.3 in their three meetings with Toronto. Indiana doesn’t defend the perimeter well, allowing teams to shoot 37.3 percent over their last 15 games. That ranks them 19th in the NBA. Star guard Victor Oladipo continues to struggle since coming back from a long injury absence and only had eight points in 25 minutes of action in Indiana’s 106-98 win at New York on Friday. The Pacers will host Charlotte on Tuesday.
The Raptors saw their 15-game winning streak come to an end in Brooklyn prior to the All-Star Break, but came out of the second half with an easy 118-101 win over the Phoenix Suns on Friday. The Raptors got 37 points from All-Star Pascal Siakam as seven players scored in double-figures. Toronto is averaging 117.1 points per game over their last 15 contests and are second in opponent field goal percentage (37.9) over that same span and fifth in opponent points at 108.6. Kyle Lowry had 13 points and 10 assists on Friday and is averaging 26.0 points per game in his three matchups with Indiana this season. The Raptors need to be careful about looking post Indiana, as the team will host Milwaukee on Tuesday.
The Pacers have won two in a row, but they’re still too inconsistent for me and have not fared well versus the Raptors. Toronto is on a roll right now and should be able to win and cover this one.
Check out who Bobby Babowski has on his Free NBA Picks page for Sunday. He is 61-51-3 on the season!
Pick: Raptors -5
Pacers are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 road games.
Pacers are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games following a ATS win.
Pacers are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
Raptors are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games as a home favorite.
Raptors are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 home games.
Raptors are 37-14 ATS in their last 51 games playing on 1 days rest.
Raptors are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
Raptors are 9-4-1 ATS in their last 14 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
Raptors are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games following a ATS win.
Raptors are 2-8 ATS in their last 10 games following a straight up win of more than 10 points
Over is 6-1 in Pacers last 7 games as an underdog.
Over is 5-1 in Pacers last 6 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
Over is 5-1 in Pacers last 6 games as a road underdog.
Over is 13-3 in Pacers last 16 games playing on 1 days rest.
Over is 4-1 in Pacers last 5 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
Over is 4-1 in Pacers last 5 vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
Over is 8-3 in Pacers last 11 overall.
Over is 8-3 in Pacers last 11 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game.
Over is 16-6 in Pacers last 22 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
Under is 30-12-1 in Pacers last 43 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.
Over is 9-4 in Pacers last 13 road games.
Under is 37-18-1 in Pacers last 56 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
Over is 5-1 in Raptors last 6 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
Over is 5-1 in Raptors last 6 games following a straight up win.
Over is 5-1 in Raptors last 6 games following a straight up win of more than 10 points.
Over is 5-1 in Raptors last 6 games as a home favorite.
Over is 5-1 in Raptors last 6 games playing on 1 days rest.
Over is 5-1 in Raptors last 6 home games.
Under is 4-1-1 in Raptors last 6 Sunday games.
Over is 4-1 in Raptors last 5 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
Over is 4-1 in Raptors last 5 vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
Over is 18-6 in Raptors last 24 games following a ATS win.
Over is 11-4 in Raptors last 15 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
Over is 5-2 in Raptors last 7 overall.
Pacers are 1-4 ATS in the last 5 meetings.
Pacers are 13-27 ATS in the last 40 meetings in Toronto.
Over is 5-2 in the last 7 meetings in Toronto.
Over is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings.
