Toronto finally ended its postseason losing streak of seven games thanks to Monday night’s 98-87 victory over Indiana in Game 2. And with the series now all even at one game apiece, the Raptors will aim to gain another win when they pay the Pacers a visit at Bankers Life Fieldhouse for Game 3. Can Toronto succeed in doing so? Or will Indiana respond with a vengeance?
Read on below for a detailed look below at this Eastern Conference showdown. Meanwhile, you can check out our preview of the Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Dallas Mavericks.
Toronto Raptors vs. Indiana Pacers Game 3 Preview
Where: Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Indianapolis
When: Thursday, April 21, 2016, 7:30 PM ET
Line: Indiana Pacers (+1.5) vs. Toronto Raptors (-1.5); total: 193.0– view all NBA lines
TV Broadcast: NBA TV
Betting on the Indiana Pacers
Paul George was brilliant throughout the first two games of the series, averaging 30.5 points per game and is shooting 54.0 percent from the field. But the Pacers couldn’t notch the win in Game 2 because George didn’t receive enough support from his teammates.
Monta Ellis did provide solid contributions of 15 points, five rebounds and three assists. Other than him though, no other Pacer player was able to score in double-figures. If this lack of production continues, it won’t be hard to see this team fall flat in Game 3.
That said, the onus is on George Hill, Solomon Hill and Myles Turner to pick up the slack on the offensive end. All three are averaging more than 20 minutes of playing time throughout this series.
Solomon Hill, in particular, needs to relocate his aggressiveness. He only scored two points in Game 2, but prior to that, he was surprisingly huge in the opener as he posted 13 points and went 10-of-10 from the charity stripe.
Over on defense, Indiana should be fine as long as it remains very physical with Toronto’s high-scoring duo of Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan. Both guards have significantly struggled with their shot in the series thus far.
Indiana, which is allowing just 98.9 points at home in the regular season, is 6-4 SU and 5-5 ATS in its previous 10 games at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.
The Raptors are going to be in deep trouble if DeMar DeRozan continues to play like a bench player. He’s tallied just 24 points and is shooting at a miserable rate of 27.0 percent during the first two games of the series. But fortunately in Game 2, his teammates were able to find a way to gut out the crucial win.
Jonas Valanciunas, in particular, was the main reason why Toronto isn’t facing a 0-2 deficit heading into Game 3. The crafty Lithuanian center racked up a huge double-double of 23 points and 15 rebounds, and shot 10-of-18 from the floor.
Kyle Lowry also played relatively well in that victory. Yes, he went just 4-of-13 from the field but managed to establish his presence by getting to the charity stripe (10-of-10), grabbing seven rebounds, and dishing out nine dimes.
Ultimately though, Lowry and DeRozan need to relocate their dominant selves, and help the Raptors gain the advantage in the series. On the road this season, the two are averaging 43.2 points combined.
Toronto is 5-5 SU and 8-2 ATS in its last 10 visits to Bankers Life Fieldhouse.
Writer’s Prediction
Pacers (+1.5) regain the advantage with a thrilling 95-89 win over the Raptors in Game 3.
