Toronto Raptors vs Indiana Pacers
PREVIEW: The Indiana Pacers have discovered their rhythm, winning three consecutive games including a thrilling victory over the Boston Celtics behind Pascal Siakam's clutch performance. Defensively, Indiana ranks first in limiting three-point attempts while also boasting solid defensive rebounding at second in the league, though they struggle significantly against quality perimeter shots and allow frequent attacks at the rim. Despite their recent hot streak, the Pacers remain in last place in the Eastern Conference with a 9-31 record, facing an uphill battle to escape the basement. On offense, the team shows high frequency mid-range activity but inefficiently attacks the basket and converts free throws at just 76.7 percent.
The Toronto Raptors are searching for consistency as they enter this matchup following a disappointing stretch of two losses in their last three games. Currently sitting in fourth place in the Eastern Conference with a 24-17 record, Toronto faces a challenging road ahead as they've already played more games than their direct conference competitors. The Raptors demonstrate elite efficiency when attacking the rim, rank second in passing quality, and excel defensively against three-point shooting by allowing low-quality attempts. However, the team's three-point shooting remains a significant weakness, ranking as the second-worst in the entire league by percentage.