The Toronto Raptors play host to the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday night in an Eastern Conference showdown from Scotiabank Arena. Both teams continue to battle for playoff positioning and this one could go a long way towards determining how seeding looks come playoff time. The Pacers have lost two in a row coming into this one and three of their last four overall, as they look to change their fortunes. For the Raptors, a loss the last time out snapped their own three-game winning streak, as they aim to get back on track. In two meetings this season between the two, the Pacers sit at 2-0, though with both of those coming in Indiana, things might be different in the rematch.
Indiana hits the road for the second-straight game and for the fifth time in their last six, as they look to make one final push towards the Eastern Conference playoffs. With a road record of 13-23, it's asking a lot for them to finally flip a switch when it comes to road games, though this would be the opportunity to make that happen. They come into this one in 12th-place in the Eastern Conference and sit 2.5 games behind the Bulls for the final playoff spot and three games behind the Raptors. It should help that Indiana already sits 2-0 against Toronto this season but it remains to be seen if they will be able to take that confidence and momentum on the road for the first time against the Raptors this season. With a pair of challenging road games looming, it's now or never for this group.
It doesn't help matters that Indiana continues to navigate a number of key injuries. Beyond Kendall Brown (shin) havi ng been ruled out for the season last month, they also continue to be without Tyrese Haliburton (ankle) for at least another few weeks. Beyond those two, the status of Chris Duarte (ankle) will want to be monitored as well, as he comes in Wednesday questionable.
north of the border.????@StVincentIN | #sponsored pic.twitter.com/BIxjF6cdLQ
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) March 21, 2023
Despite struggles on both sides of the ball, the Pacers remain in playoff contention, though it could be a struggle without their All-Star. Halliburton (20.8 ppg, 10.4 apg) has been their leader, especially on the offensive end of things, and without him, the scoring outlook could be bleak. With their defense ranking in the bottom third of the league in nearly category, a lackluster scoring night could end up being too much for this group to overcome. Expect Myles Turner (18.0 ppg, 7.6 apg) to present himself as the x-factor in this one, on both ends. With his size in the front court, as well as Buddy Hield's shooting, look for those two to make a difference.
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