The Toronto Raptors (9-10) travel to Gainbridge Fieldhouse Friday to take on the Indiana Pacers (8-12). Tip-off is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Raptors vs. Pacers odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions and bets.
The Pacers return home after losing 124-116 in overtime to the Los Angeles Lakers in a viral game Wednesday. Their roster is loaded with talent from G Malcolm Brogdon, F Domantas Sabonis and C Myles Turner. This team is better than their record indicates.
Indiana is 10-10 against the spread (ATS) this season; Toronto is coming in with a 8-11 ATS record.
Toronto is led by former All-Star F Pascal Siakam while rookie F Scottie Barnes has also impressed. However, the Raptors need major reconstruction defensively.
Raptors at Pacers odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 10:33 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Raptors +130 (bet $100 to win $130) | Pacers -160 (bet $160 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Raptors +3.5 (-108) | Pacers -3.5 (-112)
- Over/Under (O/U): 209.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
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Raptors at Pacers key injuries
Raptors
- F OG Anunoby (hip) questionable
- C Khem Birch (knee) out
Home
- F T.J. Warren (Navicular) out
Raptors at Pacers odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Raptors 105, Pacers 103
Money line
“LEAN” to the RAPTORS (+130) as they’re oddly a stronger team on the road than at home. Some of that could be with having to play the entire 2020-2021 season not in Canada, but whatever the reason, this team is 7-4 away from Scotiabank Arena.
The Pacers’ weakness has been their defensive play, more specifically their three-point defense. Their opponents have hit over 36% of their attempted threes.
With the Raptors sitting in 12th in three-point efficiency, this could be a tough game for Indiana unless they get out to Barnes, Siakam and G Fred VanVleet.
This value may no longer be on the table if Anunoby, a bonafide two-way star, does play.
Against the spread
BET on the RAPTORS +3.5 (-108) as they rank No. 1 in offensive rebounding rate and should get some easy buckets.
The Raptors also rank 25th in opponents’ free-throw attempt rate while the Pacers don’t get to the line often. Easy points just aren’t going to be there for Indiana.
The Raptors rank third in second-chance points while the Pacers rank 23rd in opponents’ second-chance points. I trust the Raptors to get more easy scores and put more points on the board when you combine it all.
The spread feels like a great option at this price.
Over/Under
“LEAN” to the UNDER 209.5 (-105) as the better bet.
Both teams rank outside the top ten in three-pointers made per game with the Raptors coming in at 24th. Teams that don’t shoot threes don’t tend to have that upside in terms of scoring.
Both teams average around 107 points per game, so this is really one that could go both ways. The Pacers are a good rebounding team, so they should be able to at least limit Raptors aggression on the glass.
The Under feels like the better play as there could be some post-Thanksgiving lag as well.
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