Neither the Indiana Pacers nor the Toronto Raptors have been able to win two-consecutive games in this series. That just goes to show how badly they want to win. And now with both teams tied at two games apiece, a victory in tonight’s Game 5 is extremely crucial. Who’s going to take the glory here? Will the Pacers capture another road win? Or will the Raptors prevent them from doing so?
Read on below for a full look at this intriguing Eastern Conference bout. You can also checkout preview of Game 5 between the Boston Celtics and Atlanta Hawks.
Indiana Pacers vs. Toronto Raptors Game 5 Preview
Where: Air Canada Centre, Toronto, Canada
When: Tuesday, April 26, 2016, 7:30 PM ET
Line: Indiana Pacers (+6.5) vs. Toronto Raptors (-6.5); total: 192.0 – view all NBA lines
Betting on the Indiana Pacers
It was definitely a remarkable turnaround for the Indiana Pacers in Game 4. From start to finish, they played with a sense of purpose and a lot of energy to eventually catapult themselves towards the resounding 17-point win over the visiting Toronto Raptors. And more importantly, the Pacers managed to prove that they can win even with a relatively quiet night from their superstar Paul George.
George, who racked up just 19 points on 6-of-16 shooting in Saturday night’s win, surprisingly took the backseat as the pair of George Hill and Ian Mahinmi shared most of the spotlight. Both finished with 22 points apiece and Mahinmi, in particular, had a more complete game with 10 boards and five dimes under his belt.
Now, the Pacers will hope for a similar type of performance in Game 5. But if they fail to do so, there’s no question that George has got to deliver the goods like the way he did in the opener. In that game, he erupted for a game-high of 33 points, four rebounds and six assists while shooting 54.5 percent from the field.
Meanwhile, Monta Ellis has been silent in the previous two games. He’s only piled up 14 points combined in that brief stretch, and is also shooting 6-of-15 from the floor. When Ellis is at his best, his ability to make plays for himself and for others makes the Pacers really tough to beat.
Indiana is 6-4 SU and 5-5 ATS in its last 10 road games.
Betting on the Toronto Raptors
Speaking of resurgence, that’s exactly what the Toronto Raptors would like to see from their All-Star backcourt duo of Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan. They haven’t really been themselves throughout this best-of-seven series, and their team desperately needs them to come alive in Game 5.
Lowry is only averaging 15.5 points in the first four games and is shooting 32.0 percent from the field. DeRozan, meanwhile, is posting 13.3 points on 29.6 percent shooting during the same stretch. But maybe a trip back to the Air Canada Centre could finally help them find their old forms. The two guards are posting 21.4 and 24.8 points, respectively, at home this season.
Jonas Valanciunas, meanwhile, will really need to step his game up again if the Indiana defense continues to get the best out of Lowry and DeRozan. Valanciunas has been pretty solid throughout the last four games, tallying 15.0 points and 13.5 rebounds. That stretch includes their huge win in Game 4, where he finished with 23 points and 15 rebounds while shooting 10-of-18 from the floor.
Toronto is 7-3 SU and 6-4 ATS in its past 10 home games.
Writer’s Prediction
The Raps (-6.5) prevail in this one, 96-91, despite Lowry and DeRozan’s struggles continue.
