Game Preview: Pacers vs Raptors

Last Updated: Dec. 14 at 1:44 PM

After a disappointing second leg of a back-to-back on Saturday night that saw the Pacers drop a game to the Pistons 118-96, Indiana turns around to face perhaps an even tougher opponent on Monday.

A key difference, however, is that the Pacers will have a day of rest under them, and will be playing on their home court as well, which wasn't the case when Indiana lost 106-99 to the Raptors at the Air Canada Centre in October.

Since that game, played in the season's earliest stages, both the Pacers and the Raptors have found themselves as ascending teams in the surprisingly potent Eastern Conference.

The Raptors (16-9) have been led by DeMar DeRozan, who is averaging over 20 points per contest, while also managing 4.3 rebounds and 4.1 assists. Also of note is the smooth play of Kyle Lowry, who has emerged as one of the top point guards in the entire league; Lowry has posted 20+ points, 5+ rebounds, and 5+ assists averages this year.

During a recent stretch, the Pacers gave up 120 points or more in three consecutive games (all losses), only to put a forceful end to that in during a Friday win over the Heat in which the Pacers allowed their conference foe just 83 points. Just as it seemed Indiana had figured out the defensive side of the ball, Detroit picked the Pacers apart, hitting 50 percent of its field goals en route to a 22-point victory over the Pacers on Saturday night.

The Raptors have won their last four games — including an impressive victory over the Spurs on Dec. 9.

George Hill

Monta Ellis

C.J. Miles

Paul George

Ian Mahinmi

Kyle Lowry

DeMar DeRozan

Terrence Ross

Luis Scola

Bismack Biyombo

Pacers: PG - George Hill, SG - Monta Ellis, SF - C.J. Miles, PF - Paul George, C - Ian Mahinmi
Raptors: PG - Kyle Lowry, SG - DeMar DeRozan, SF - Terrence Ross, PF - Luis Scola, C - Bismack Biyombo

Pacers: Myles Turner - out (chip fracture, left thumb)

Raptors: Jonas Valanciunas - out (fracture of the fourth metacarpal, left hand), DeMarre Carroll - out (right knee contusion)

October 28, 2015: The Pacers played Toronto on the road in their season-opening game, but fell to the Raptors 106-99.

Things initially looked good for the Pacers after a 30-point first quarter, but the Raptors spent the remainder of the game chipping into Indiana's lead before eventually overtaking the Pacers for good.

Paul George struggled from the filed in the season's first game, connecting on just 4-of-17 shots. It was George Hill who had it going for the Pacers, hitting 5-of-7 3-point shots to make things interesting late in the fourth quarter.

TV: FOX Sports Indiana - Chris Denari (play-by-play), Quinn Buckner (analyst), Jeremiah Johnson (sideline reporter/host)
Radio: 93.5 FM/AM 1070 The Fan - Mark Boyle (play-by-play), Slick Leonard (analyst), Pat Boylan (sideline reporter/host)
Please Note: Inside Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Pacers radio broadcasts can be heard on 1080 AM instead of 1070.

Good seats still remain for Monday's game against the Raptors. Thanks to FOX Sports Indiana, any tickets purchased online between now and the end of December will include zero fees. Find Tickets »

Full Size Pacers Basketball - $15. Game Night Specials can be purchased in the Home Court Gift Shop or any of our souvenir stands located on all levels of Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The special is also available online at PacersGear.com until midnight.