The final common season win by the Raptors in Toronto was in opposition to the Pacers means again on February twenty third, 2020. 607 days in the past to be precise. Perhaps this can be a good omen?
Each groups come into this sport with a 1-3 report, and can face one another twice this week. The Pacers host the second sport on Saturday. Indy misplaced to Milwaukee on Tuesday 119-109, so this isn’t a back-to-back state of affairs for both workforce. Some matters about this sport under:
Extra clutch minutes? Positive why not
The primary three Raptor video games weren’t aggressive by hook or by crook by the 5 minute mark of the fourth quarter, which is outlined as clutch time inside 5 factors. We received our first style of significant clutch basketball in a defiant comeback try on Monday vs the Bulls. Though DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine saved buying and selling daggers, some sloppy Chicago turnovers (or scrappy Raptor defence, whichever means you wish to describe it) introduced every thing right down to Fred VanVleet lacking a 3 that might have despatched the sport to additional time.
Everyone knows the Raptors offence particularly is a piece in progress, particularly within the half court docket. So nothing can be higher than getting extra late sport execution reps, possibly this time attempting to carry on to the lead as an alternative of attempting to make a comeback. That may solely assist Fred, OG Anunoby, Scottie Barnes and firm develop snug with what they will depend on late and develop on as soon as Pascal Siakam makes his return.
Chris Boucher / Malachi Flynn
They’re within the doghouse. Nick Nurse is again to his not-so-subtle callouts, saying “I don’t see any up” when requested about Boucher’s ups and downs on Saturday after the Mavs. He solely noticed 5 minutes of court docket time on Monday. Flynn has fallen to fourth on the purpose guard depth chart and was getting up further photographs instantly after the sport. Solely Nurse is aware of once they’ll see the court docket on a constant foundation once more. In fact, a variety of that’s as much as Boucher and Flynn themselves.
The Pacers prolonged struggles
Sure the Pacers have misplaced three of 4 to start the season, however these losses are in opposition to Charlotte, Miami, Washington and Milwaukee. These 4 have a mixed 10-4 report to date. Additionally, Indy is lacking its supposed beginning wings in Caris LeVert and T.J. Warren. Rookie Chris Duarte has finished a formidable job in LeVert’s place, averaging 19.8 ppg and taking pictures almost 45 p.c from three in 4 video games. Let’s look massive image for a second although. The fixed harm bug in Indiana makes one marvel, the place is that this workforce going?
Since Paul George’s grotesque leg harm and the Pacers ensuing fall from grace in 2014-15, they’ve misplaced within the first spherical of the playoffs 5 straight seasons. They have been swept in three of these 5 seasons. Frank Vogel was fired. Nate McMillan was employed, fired, and is seemingly dwelling his greatest life in Atlanta. Victor Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis have missed whole playoff runs. Then final yr, Indiana gave up 142 factors in a play-in loss to the Wizards. Principally the Pacers have been doggy paddling proper in the midst of the standings for fairly a while now. They reportedly have curiosity in a Ben Simmons deal as soon as these negotiations with Daryl Morey come again right down to earth.
The intense aspect is Rick Carlisle is again, and it could have been a mistake to fireplace him within the first place. Carlisle was an assistant coach through the Pacers greatest runs together with a Reggie Miller led Finals look in 2000, after which the pinnacle coach in 2004 when Indiana went 61-21. That’s nonetheless a franchise report. The Malice within the Palice destroyed that workforce and Carlisle was let go in 2007. He received the final chortle, profitable a title with the Mavs in 2011. Carlisle has a confirmed knack of elevating groups to the following stage, in order that’s Indiana’s hope for his recent 4-year, $29 million deal. If that falls flat? This workforce could have to begin over.
Oshae Brissett’s return
Mississauga’s very personal will play his first sport in Toronto as an opponent of the Raptors. Oshae was a preseason minimize final yr after spending his rookie season in Toronto (miss the sideline dance vitality by the way in which), however bounced again in an enormous means. Brissett averaged 10.9 ppg with the Pacers final yr together with a career-high 31 factors in opposition to Toronto on the ultimate day of the common season. The vitality, athleticism and defence have been at all times there, however his taking pictures has made an enormous enchancment. Brissett shot 30.7 p.c from three over two seasons at Syracuse, then didn’t actually take threes (3-for-15) in his rookie season in Toronto.
Up these numbers to 42.3 p.c (33-78 in 21 video games) final season and unexpectedly you could have a dependable stretch 4. Brissett even performed some 5 final season for a depleted (cursed) Pacers roster. All in all, he earned himself a multi-year cope with a workforce choice for subsequent season. He’s performed 55 minutes off the bench within the final two video games, so its a secure wager we’ll see a variety of Oshae on this sport.
Sport Data
Tip-off: 7:30pm EDT | TV: TSN 3/4 | Radio: Sportsnet 590
Pacers Lineup
T.J. Warren has solely performed 4 video games since his legendary run within the bubble again in 2020. He’s coping with a foot harm and his timetable to return remains to be unknown. Caris LeVert is questionable (again) to make his season debut. Kelan Martin (hamstring) didn’t play in opposition to Milwaukee, pending an replace.
PG: Malcolm Brogdon, T.J. McConnell, Brad Wanamaker, Duane Washington Jr.
SG: Chris Duarte, Jeremy Lamb
SF: Justin Vacation, Torrey Craig, DeJon Jarreau
PF: Domantas Sabonis, Oshae Brissett, Isaiah Jackson
C: Myles Turner, Goga Bitadze
Raptors Lineup
Yuta Watanabe (calf) and Pascal Siakam (shoulder) are each nonetheless out, however they practiced on Tuesday with no restrictions. Each are anticipated to observe with the Raptors 905 on Wednesday.
PG: Fred Vanvleet, Goran Dragic, Dalano Banton, Malachi Flynn
SG: Gary Trent Jr, Svi Mykhailiuk, David Johnson
SF: Scottie Barnes, Isaac Bonga, Sam Dekker, Justin Champagnie
PF: OG Anunoby, Chris Boucher
C: Treasured Achiuwa, Khem Birch
The Line
Indiana is favoured by 1.5 factors. The over/beneath is 218.5. The Pacers are prime 5 in factors per sport, however the Raptors are solely giving up 98.8 factors. I’m 2-0 on this so as soon as once more, take the beneath.
Tip Jamar Hinds
Gameday: Pacers vs Raptors, October 27 originated on Raptors Republic.
