The Indiana Pacers have been one of the most pleasant surprises in the NBA this year, as they are right in the mix for the top seed in the Eastern Conference. Indiana can inch even closer if it can pull an upset over the Toronto Raptors next time out.
Toronto has been fantastic this year and has one of the top records in the NBA, so both of these teams should be feeling good about themselves entering this one. The Raptors have the slightly better team and are playing at home so they will be the favorites.
The Pacers have been surpassing expectations all season and would love to pull off this unlikely upset in NBA betting lines.
This NBA basketball game between the Indiana Pacers and Toronto Raptors will be held at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada at 7:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, January 6th, 2019. The game will be nationally televised on NBA TV.
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Odds Analysis
The Pacers have a record of 25-12 on the season. They have won five consecutive games to pull within 1.5 games of both the Raptors and Pacers in the Eastern Conference. Indiana has done a nice job on the road this year with 11 wins in 18 games.
The Raptors are 28-12 on the year. They have been dominant at home with 15 wins in 19 attempts. Toronto has looked like an NBA title contender all season but has recently been overtaken for the top spot in the East by the Bucks and wants to get it back.
Injury Report
Toronto could be without star point guard Kyle Lowry once again as he deals with an injured back. Lowry is a key piece as he one of the team’s leading scorers and its top passer. Lowry is averaging 14.4 points and 9.8 assists per contest.
He is also an elite defender and would be a key piece in this game, although his return is certainly up in the air. Keep a close eye on Lowry’s status because it could have an effect on the spread.
Pacers center Myle Turner is dealing with a nose injury but seems likely to be available for this one. He is a big part of Indiana’s surge this year, averaging 13.1 points, 7.3 rebounds and 2.9 blocks per contest.
Player To Watch
Kawhi Leonard -- The Raptors might not have Lowry but they will be favored because of the presence of their star small forward. Leonard was acquired this offseason in a trade in hopes of helping Toronto reach another level and he has done so.
Leonard is averaging 27.3 points, 8.2 rebounds and 1.6 steals per game while playing his typically stellar defense. The Pacers have a nice well-rounded team, but the NBA is a star’s league and Leonard will be the biggest one on the court.
Free NBA ATS Picks
The Pacers have a better point-differential than the Raptors and even despite the absence of some big names figure to be among the top teams in the East for the long haul. However, pulling out a win against a superior opponent on the road is going to be too tough of a task in this matchup.
Toronto is the choice to win this game, but if the spread is placed too high the Pacers could be the right pick to cover the spread. Watch to see where the scoring total comes in as the “over” could make sense depending on the total in NBA gambling.
NBA ATS Pick: Toronto Raptors 116, Indiana Pacers 111
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