Indiana Pacers at Raptors: Preview and 3 keys to victory
By Graeme Klayh
The Toronto Raptors will play the second night on a back-to-back at home after falling to the Hawks in Atlanta. The playoffs are right around the corner and we shouldn’t expect too much from the Raptors roster.
The Toronto Raptors lost to the Atlanta Hawks Thursday night, and no one is too upset about it. The Raptors are stuck in the second seed and are trying to remain healthy for the postseason. Last night featured a different approach from Dwane Casey in the minute distribution in order to keep DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry rested. They each played 34 minutes for the night, and I wouldn’t expect to see them play much if at all in this game. In the back-to-back games of last weekend, the all-stars were rested against the San Antonio Spurs. With nothing on the line for Toronto, we can expect the same.
In the back-to-back games of last weekend, the all-stars were rested against the San Antonio Spurs. With nothing on the line for Toronto, we can expect the same.
Against Atlanta, Lucas Nogueira got some burn. Will we see Delon Wright next?
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The Indiana Pacers have a lot more to lose than the Raptors and will be trying to grab a win at all costs. Their offensive onslaught featuring Paul George will be in full force as they are still fighting for the playoffs (and trying not to matchup versus the Cleveland Cavaliers). The Pacers currently sit seventh in the standings, which means this game could be the first-round matchup rehearsal for the Raptors. The other candidate is the Detroit Pistons, who are 0.5 games behind Indiana.
The Pacers are currently on a 3-game win streak and will try to make it 4 versus the (anticipated) resting ball club.
One flaw both the Raptors and Pacers suffer from: weakness at the power forward position. Luis Scola gets the start for Toronto, despite scoring 7 points in his last 4 games. Lavoy Allen steps in for Indy. Since February 5, he’s had one game in which he’s scored in double figures. Neither man makes up for their offensive weaknesses with defensive prowess.
The Indiana Pacers are not a team without faults. They have many weaknesses that can be exposed by any roster. The Raptors will be able to win if they…
- …shut down the perimeter attack from Paul George and C.J. Miles. George has scored 20+ points in 7 straight games and Miles has scored 20+ and hit at least 5 three-pointers in 2 of the last 3 games.
- …score enough points. If they rest their players, this may be a struggle. The Pacers are 16-0 when they hold their opponent under 90 points per game.
- …keep on with recent history. The Pacers have lost their last 4 in Toronto and last 6 of 7 overall. Keep the good times rolling!
Next: Liability to strength: Raptors' defense
The Indiana Pacers are kind of wild cards. They can come out blazing one night, then be a dud the next. I expect this to be a close game, resting players or not.