What in the world is happening to Indiana? The Pacers crashed to their fourth defeat in the past five games with a 110-97 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday. It was a costly result for Indiana who are now tied with Miami for the final two playoff spots in the Eastern Conference, with the surging Chicago Bulls following closely behind.
So what’s ailing the Pacers nowadays? Indiana’s defense has been abysmal of late, with the Pacers allowing an average of 114.8 points over their past four losses. Opponents have been shooting an incredible 46 percent from the field in those four defeats. The Pacers displayed their defensive ineptitude in the loss to the Grizzlies, surrendering a whopping 38 points in the opening quarter.
With their playoff bid in serious peril, the Pacers decided to shake things up and signed former guard Lance Stephenson to a three-year deal. The 26-year-old has had stints with the Los Angeles Clippers, the Charlotte Hornets, New Orleans Pelicans, Memphis Grizzlies and Minnesota Timberwolves after playing four seasons with Indiana to start his career. Stephenson has career averages of 8.7 points, 4.2 rebounds and 3.0 assists in 352 NBA games, including 189 starts.
He will not play in Toronto this evening, though, so the scoring cudgels still lie with Paul George in this ballgame. George has been on a tear for the Pacers, averaging 28.8 points in the past five games. He finished Wednesday’s road loss with 22 points, four assists, three rebounds, two steals and two blocks.
The Pacers are 0-6 SU and ATS in their last six road games.
The Toronto Raptors had their six-game winning streak snapped on Wednesday with a gut-wrenching 110-106 loss to the Charlotte Hornets. The Raptors simply had no answer for Kemba Walker who scored 11 of his 19 points in the final 5:03. It was a disappointing loss for the Raptors who were outscored 44-32 in the final period. The Raptors will look to get their season back on track when they host the Indiana Pacers later tonight.
Dwayne Casey’s men will fancy their chances of doing just that as they have fared extremely well against the Pacers of late. The Raptors have won eight of the past nine regular-season games against Indiana, including six in a row at the Air Canada Centre. That includes their 116-91 demolition of the Pacers earlier this season. Seven players scored in double figures in that clash for the Raptors who shot 49.5 percent from the floor.
One guy who needs to step up for the Raptors in this encounter is Cory Joseph. He scored 18 points, grabbed seven rebounds and dished out five assists in the loss to the Hornets as he continues to start at point guard in Kyle Lowry’s absence. Toronto is 13-6 without Lowry in the lineup this season.
The total has gone over in the Raptors’ last five home games.
Writer’s Prediction
Toronto (-6) not only wins but also covers the spread against Indiana.
