Break up the Toronto Raptors! Well, not really. But the Raps have won two in a row following a brutal 15-game losing streak.
They’ll try to make it three in a row as they welcome Pascal Siakam back home when they take on the Indiana Pacers.
But keeping this winning streak alive won’t be easy as the NBA odds have the Raps as big home underdogs. Can Toronto contain Spicy P and Indiana’s high-octane offense?
I break it all down in my Pacers vs. Raptors predictions and give you my best free NBA picks for Tuesday, April 9.
Pacers vs Raptors predictions
My best bet
Pascal Siakam Over 3.5 assists (+110 at PointsBet)
My analysis
The Toronto Raptors winning two games in a row once RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley returned to the lineup tells you all you need to know about that 15-game losing streak. Don’t read too much into it.
One thing that has been consistent since the Raptors acquired the two former Knicks is that their defense has been, um, subpar to put it nicely. Heck, even in their latest win against the Washington Wizards they surrendered 122 points.
Toronto has the second-worst defensive rating since Jan. 1 (the first game Barrett and Quickley played with their new team), and they basically need to improve in all areas.
That doesn’t instill a ton of confidence going against arguably the best offense in the NBA in the Indiana Pacers.
A matchup with the Pacers also means another matchup with former Raptors star Pascal Siakam. Spicy P has done his thing with his new team, stuffing the stat sheet putting up 21.3 points while shooting 37.5% from 3-point range to go along with 7.8 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game.
Siakam has also cooked his former team in two previous meetings this season, averaging 25 points, 7 rebounds, and 6.5 assists per game. Tonight, I want to focus on his assists. They are on the board at 3.5 with the Over at solid plus money. We are getting a good number because Pascal’s assists have been down a bit of late.
That said, his assists average with the Pacers is still above this number and he’s dished out six dimes in each of the two previous meetings vs. the Raptors. A Raptors team that allows the third most assists per possession in the NBA.
You know Pascal going to want to put on a show in front of his former home crowd. Take Spicy P to be a playmaker against his old team and bet the Over 3.5 assists.
Pacers vs Raptors same-game parlay
Pascal Siakam Over 3.5 assists
Pascal Siakam Over 0.5 3-pointers
Raptors team total Under 112.5
Let’s back Siakam to do a little bit of everything in this matchup and add him to hit a 3-pointer tonight. Pascal has hit a three in seven of his last 10 games, shooting a solid 40% from beyond the arc during those games.
The Raptors allow the fifth most made threes per possession since Jan. 1 and have the fifth-worst opponent 3-point shooting percentage over that stretch.
Let’s close this same-game parlay out with the Raptors to land below their team total of 112.5. Part of the reason they have won back-to-back games is because of the play of Immanuel Quickley. He’s out tonight.
Additionally, the Pacers have been quietly improving defensively as the playoffs approach. They rank a respectable 15th in d-rating since the start of March.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
Pacers vs Raptors odds
Pacers vs Raptors live odds
Pacers vs Raptors opening odds
- Spread: Indiana +10 | Toronto -10
- Moneyline: Indiana -330 | Toronto +265
- Over/Under: Over 239.5 | Under 239.5
Pacers vs Raptors spread and Over/Under analysis
- The Raptors opened this Eastern Conference matchup as 10-point home underdogs. But with the news coming out that Immanuel Quickley would sit this one out the line has moved to Toronto +13.
- The Raptors had gone 0-6 SU/ATS in six previous games as double-digit underdogs prior to the win vs. the Milwaukee Bucks.
- Conversely, the Pacers have gone 5-1 ATS in their last six games when laying 10-digit points.
- The total is up slightly from its opening number sitting at 240. This number feels a little high considering Quickley won't play.
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Pacers vs Raptors trend
The Raptors have hit the Team Total Under in 25 of their last 41 games at home for +6.90 Units and a 15% ROI. Find more NBA betting trends for Pacers vs. Raptors.
Pacers vs Raptors game info
| Location: | Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, ON |
| Date: | Tuesday, 4-9-2024 |
| Tip-off: | 7:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | SN, Bally Sports Indiana |
Pacers vs Raptors latest injuries
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