Toronto (3-2) at Indiana (2-3)
When: Friday, April 29th 2016
Where: Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN
Time: 7:35 ET | TV: NBA TV, ESPNews
The Toronto Raptors look to close out their series with the Indiana Pacers tonight when the teams meet in Game 6 from Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The Raptors rallied from a 17-point deficit in Game 5 and held on for a 102-99 win – the first single-digit game of the series. DeMar DeRozan set a personal best for the postseason with 34 points on 10-of-22 shooting. DeRozan averaged just 13.3 points over the first four games of the series before his big effort on Tuesday but backcourt mate Kyle Lowry still can’t find the mark. Lowry, the All-Star point guard, went 3-for-11 in Game 5 to drop his series shooting percentage to 31.4% and he has shot below 40 percent in each of the five games. Backup center Bismack Biyombo was a big-time standout in Game 5 with 10 points and 16 rebounds and he is averaging nine boards in the series. He averaged just 5.5 points a game during the regular season. Center Jonas Valanciunas averaged just 5.5 rebounds over the last two games after averaging 16 in the first three contests.
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The Pacers are disappointed with the outcome of Game 5 after letting the big lead slip away and scoring only nine points in the fourth quarter. “Once again, we failed to live up to that moment,” All-Star forward Paul George told reporters. “Nine points in the fourth. It’s the only thing to look at – nine points in the fourth.” George is averaging 28.8 points in the series after pouring in 39 points, eight rebounds and eight assists in Game 5 and was again trying to suppress frustration with some of his teammates. “I think our guys individually know, individually, that they have to bring it,” George told reporters. “I’m not about putting guys down or putting teammates down, but individually everybody has to bring it.” Shooting guard Monta Ellis is someone who needs to step up for the Pacers after scoring eight or fewer points in each of the past three games while shooting 9-of-26 from the field. C.J. Miles has had a poor series, averaging four points on 28.6% shooting – including 2-of-16 from 3-point range.
Toronto is just a better team than Indiana and I believe they win the series tonight. George just can’t get any help offensively for the Pacers. I’m still waiting for Lowry to get back to form and when that happens, look out.
Pick: Raptors +2
