Toronto Raptors (6-8) vs. Indiana Pacers (7-5)
Toronto Raptors vs. Indiana Pacers 11/22/23 – As the experts handicapping, we turn our focus to an intriguing matchup between the Toronto Raptors and Indiana Pacers on Wednesday evening at Bainbridge Fieldhouse with tip-off scheduled for 7:30 PM ET tipoff time and live coverage by BSIN for an enthralling contest between these Eastern Conference rivals.
Toronto has had an up and down start to their season so far, averaging 110.8 points per game with a 46.2% field goal percentage and 3-point shooting of 33.6% despite efficient scoring. Rebounding has been strong at 46.5 per game while turnovers and fouls at 13.6 and 19.1 show areas of concern for this team on the road where they have gone 3-2 against the spread. They will face another tough test against Indiana when facing them off on Wednesday.
Indiana has been impressive on offense, scoring 125.7 points per game while shooting 49.5% from field goal range and 37.8% 3-pointers at an impressive rate. They average only 41.8 rebounds per game; however, their assist numbers are more impressive at 30.3. Their home performance (3-2 covering spreads) will be critical in this matchup.
Toronto Raptors vs. Indiana Pacers 11/22/23 Game Info
When: | Wednesday, November 22, 2023 at 7:30 PM ET |
Where: | Gainbridge Fieldhouse |
TV: | BSIN |
Stream: | NBA League Pass |
Scottie Barnes (SF) vs. Tyrese Haliburton (PG)
Scottie Barnes has been an indispensable player for Toronto Raptors this season, starting all 13 games he’s appeared in and averaging 20.1 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 6 assists per game – he’s an impactful forward who impacts both ends of the court; his 1.5 steals/blocks per game highlight his defensive prowess while turnovers (2.5/game) and fouls (2.2/game) remain areas for improvement; nonetheless his versatility will play a pivotal role in their success.
Tyrese Haliburton of the Pacers has been an incredible point guard. Averaging 23.5 points and 11.6 assists per game, he serves as Indiana’s offensive engine while showing impressive efficiency with a remarkable 5.1 assist-to-turnover ratio. However, Barnes may hold an edge due to lower rebounding numbers (4 per game) and defensive stats. Haliburton will play an instrumental role in setting Indiana’s pace.
Barnes and Haliburton meet each time in a battle of versatility against pure playmaking. Barnes’ all-around game could test Haliburton’s defense, while Haliburton’s ability to create shots for himself and others will test Barnes’ defensive acumen. Their head-to-head clash could determine the game’s flow and outcome.
NBA Odds/Point Spread: Indiana Pacers -256, Total Odds: 236.5
The betting odds favor the Pacers, given their strong offensive output and home-court advantage. The point spread of -3.5 for Indiana reflects their recent form and scoring prowess. The total at 236.5 suggests a high-scoring affair, aligning with both teams’ trends towards higher totals in recent games.
Toronto Raptors Betting Trends
The Raptors have shown resilience despite a less impressive record, particularly on the road. Staying within the spread during away games (3-2) indicates they rise to meet challenges head-on; however, their inconsistent coverage (2-3 in their last 5 games) and mixed totals going over (2 out of 5) indicates unpredictability in their performance.
Indiana Pacers Betting Trends
The Indiana Pacers have proven a solid bet, particularly at home, where total points tend to go over. Their recent run includes three straight victories against the spread at home (3-2 against and three times covering), which demonstrates their comfort playing within their own arena. Furthermore, totals have gone over in seven of eight home games over this span.
Toronto Raptors vs. Indiana Pacers 11/22/23 Betting Picks
Although the Pacers seem like the superior team overall, particularly at home, Toronto cannot be overlooked when it comes to road performance. Toronto will need its defense to keep up with Indiana’s high-octane offense; for NBA top picks alone, however, the Pacers appear like safer bets due to their superior scoring and spread-coverage at home.
However, the Raptors’ knack for keeping games close and their ability to perform under pressure on the road make them an intriguing underdog choice with the +3.5 spread. Individual performance bets could prove profitable; Haliburton could produce points and assists while Barnes may contribute rebounds and blocks; for over/under wagers it might be prudent to favor an over bet given both teams’ tendencies.
Free Pick & Prediction: Indiana Pacers 118, Toronto Raptors 112