Indiana Pacers (20-17) vs Toronto Raptors (16-20)
Game Info: Monday, January 2, 2023 at 7:00 pm (Gainbridge Fieldhouse)
Betting Odds: Indiana Pacers -2.5 -- Over/Under: 226.5 Click Here for the Latest Odds
Where to Watch: Bally Sports Indiana, SN Stream live sports and exclusive originals on ESPN+. Sign up now! 
The Toronto Raptors travel to the Gainbridge Fieldhouse to battle the Indiana Pacers on Monday night.
The Toronto Raptors have been in a real funk as they’ve lost eight of their last 11 games overall, but they will be eager to stay hot in this one after beating the Suns in a 113-104 win on Friday. Gary Trent Jr. led the team with 35 points on 11 of 22 shooting, Pascal Siakam added 26 points with six assists while OG Anunoby chipped in with 16 points. As a team, the Raptors shot 49 percent from the field and 11 of 33 from the 3-point line as they set the tone with 33 points in the first quarter to take the narrow lead into halftime, before they poured in another 33 points in the third quarter to pull away and earn the gritty win at home.
Meanwhile, the Indiana Pacers have been in fine form as they’ve won five of their past six games and they will be gunning for a fourth straight victory after outlasting the Clippers in a 131-130 home win on Saturday. Myles Turner led the team with 34 points on 11 of 17 shooting, Tyrese Haliburton added 24 points with seven, rebounds, 10 assists and four steals while Buddy Hield chipped in with 18 points. As a team, the Pacers shot 52 percent from the field and 14 of 38 from the 3-point line as they wasted an early 14-point lead, before they exploded for 38 points in the fourth quarter to escape with the narrow win on free throws down the stretch.
Looking at the betting trends, the Raptors are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 games playing on two days rest and 1-4 ATS in their last five games following a win. The Pacers are 4-1 ATS in their last five home games, 9-2 ATS in their last 11 games against a team with a losing record and 5-1 ATS in their last six games overall.
Head to head, the under is 12-4 in the last 16 meetings in Indiana.
The Raptors could be shorthanded again as Fred VanVleet and Precious Achiuwa are both questionable, while the Pacers are still missing Daniel Theis and Kendall Brown. The Raptors were really struggling for form before they beat the Suns on Friday, so it is actually the Pacers who come in as the form team with five wins in their last six outings. The Raptors looked great in their gritty win over the Suns on Friday, but the Suns have been playing so poorly lately, so I’d rather lean towards the Pacers to stay hot with another win and cover at home behind another big game from Haliburton.
Peter’s Pick Indiana -2.5
AUTHOR: Peter Tran
Mitch's Take...
