Toronto Raptors vs. Indiana Pacers - 12/23/19 NBA Picks, Odds, and Prediction

Game: Toronto Raptors vs Indiana Pacers

Date: Monday, December 23, 2019

Location: Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, IN

TV: NBA TV

Odds/Point Spread: Indiana -5.5

Total/Over-Under: 209.5

Domantas Sabonis and the Indiana Pacers (20-9, 2nd in the Central Division) play the Toronto Raptors (20-8, 2nd in the Atlantic Division) at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on Monday, December 23, 2019. Toronto opens this game as 5.5 point dogs. The total opens at 209.5.

The Raptors are covering the spread 57.1% of the time, having gone 16-12-0 ATS. Indiana is covering 60.7% of the time, going 17-11-1 against the spread.

Key Toronto Raptors Injuries

12/21/2019 Stanley Johnson SF Groin Game Time Decision
12/20/2019 Pascal Siakam PF Groin Expected to be out until at least Jan 1
12/20/2019 Matt Thomas SG Finger Expected to be out until at least Jan 4
12/20/2019 Norman Powell SG Shoulder Expected to be out until at least Jan 1
12/19/2019 Marc Gasol C Hamstring Expected to be out until at least Dec 31

Key Indiana Pacers Injuries

12/21/2019 Naz Mitrou-Long SG Ankle Game Time Decision
12/21/2019 Jeremy Lamb SG Groin Game Time Decision
12/21/2019 Domantas Sabonis PF Hip Game Time Decision
12/18/2019 Victor Oladipo SG Knee Expected to be out until at least Jan 8

Player Spotlight

Fred VanVleet averages 18.0 points per game in 36.5 minutes per contest. He averages 7.1 assists per contest and 4.0 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 41% for the year while his free throw percentage is 87%. OG Anunoby comes into this contest averaging 11.6 points per game while playing 30.0 minutes per night. He pulls down 5.7 rebounds per game and dishes out 1.7 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 51% while his free throw percentage is at 64%.

Player Spotlight

Malcolm Brogdon averages 18.7 points per game and he sees the court an average of 31.5 minutes per contest. He also averages 4.6 rebounds per contest and 7.5 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 46% and his free throw percentage is 93%. Domantas Sabonis averages 17.9 points per game while playing 34.3 minutes per contest. He grabs 13.2 rebounds per game and has 3.9 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 51% and his free throw percentage is at 76%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Raptors allow 105.9 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 7th in the league. They also allow a 42% shooting percentage and a 33% average from behind the arc, ranking them 2nd and 3rd in those defensive categories. Opponents average 48.3 rebounds a game which ranks 30th, and they give up 25.4 assists per contest which puts them in 24th place in the league. They force 16.5 turnovers per game which ranks them 28th in the league. Toronto averages 112.0 points per contest this season, which ranks them 11th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 6.1 and their shooting percentage is 45% as a team, which has them ranked 18th. Behind the arc they shoot 38% which is good for 4th in the league. They average 46.2 rebounds per game and 25.3 assists per contest, which ranks them 7th and 9th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 17th with 15.0 per game.

Useful Team Statistics

The Pacers surrender 104.2 points per contest, which ranks them 4th in the NBA. Their defense allows a 44% shooting percentage and a 34% average from 3-point range, ranking them 6th and 5th in those defensive statistics. They rank 5th with 22.6 assists allowed per contest, and 9th with 44.2 rebounds surrendered per game. The Pacers are 12th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 14.7 per game. Indiana is 17th in the league with 109.4 points per game this year. They are 5th in the league in shooting at 47%, while their average scoring margin is 5.2. They shoot 37% from 3-point range, which is good for 6th in the NBA. They are 20th in the league in rebounding with 44.3 boards per game and 10th in assists per contest with 25.1. The Pacers are 28th in turnovers per game with 13.6.

Advanced Statistics

The Raptors are 11th in the league in defensive rating with 103.9, and their offensive rating of 109.9 is ranked 4th. They are 13th in the NBA in pace with 101.2 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 53% is 11th. As a unit they are 9th in the league in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 41% of their shot attempts, ranking 6th in the NBA. Toronto is 16th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.2 times per 100 possessions while forcing 14 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 49%, which is 30th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Indiana is 24th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.2 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.1 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 50%, which is 27th in the league. The Pacers are 12th in the NBA in offensive rating with 109.8, and their defensive rating of 104.5 is ranked 6th. In terms of pace they are 23rd in the league with 99 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 53% is 13th. As a team they are 15th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 56% and they shoot 3-pointers on 30% of their shots, ranking 29th in the league.

Who will win tonight's Raptors/Pacers NBA game against the spread?

Josh's Pick: Take Toronto +5.5

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