Game Preview: Pacers at Raptors

Important Note: For the remainder of the season, all Pacers radio broadcasts can be heard on FM 107.5 as well as AM 1070 The Fan.

With their grip on a playoff spot growing more precarious by the day, the Pacers (37-38) will look to righten the ship on Friday night in Toronto against the Raptors (45-30).

Indiana has dropped four of its last five games to slide into eighth place in the Eastern Conference, only a game and a half ahead of Chicago for the final playoff spot. On Wednesday night in Memphis, the Pacers never led in a 110-87 loss to the Grizzlies. Indiana surrendered 38 points in the first quarter and 72 in the first half and then never got within single digits after halftime.

Though the Pacers have been slumping, All-Star forward Paul George has been close to his best offensively over the past five games. George is averaging 28.8 points over his last five contests while shooting 48.5 percent from the field and 44.7 percent from 3-point range.

PLAYOFF PICTURE: Track the Pacers' Playoff Push »

The Pacers' issues have primarily come on the defensive end. In those last four losses, Indiana has allowed an average of 114.8 points per game and all of its opponents have shot 46 percent or better from the field.

The Raptors are still without All-Star point guard Kyle Lowry, but that hasn't slowed them down lately. Toronto had won six straight games before falling to Charlotte on Wednesday.

In Lowry's absence, fellow All-Star DeMar DeRozan has carried the heavy load offensively. DeRozan is the NBA's fifth-leading scorer at 27.2 points per game. Last week, he scored 42 points against Chicago and then 40 more two nights later in Miami, a feat all the more remarkable considering he made just one 3-pointer over those two nights.

The Raptors are in a tight race with the Cavaliers, Celtics, and Wizards to determine the top four seeds in the East, so they still have plenty to play for down the stretch run of the season.

Jeff Teague

Monta Ellis

Paul George

Thaddeus Young

Myles Turner

Cory Joseph

DeMar DeRozan

P.J. Tucker

Serge Ibaka

Jonas Valanciunas

Pacers: PG - Jeff Teague, SG - Paul George, SF - C.J. Miles, PF - Thaddeus Young, C - Myles Turner
Raptors: PG - Cory Joseph, SG - DeMar DeRozan, SF - P.J. Tucker, PF - Serge Ibaka, C - Jonas Valanciunas

Pacers: Al Jefferson - out (sprained left ankle), Glenn Robinson III - out (sore left calf)

Raptors: Kyle Lowry - out (right wrist surgery), DeMarre Carroll - questionable (sore lower back)

March 19, 2017: The Raptors rolled to a 116-91 win over the Pacers at Air Canada Centre in the first meeting between the two teams since last season's first round playoff series.

Toronto shot 49.5 percent from the field, went 12-for-27 from 3-point range, and outrebounded Indiana 51-33. DeMar DeRozan led all scorers with 22 points, while Serge Ibaka added 16 points and five rebounds for Toronto.

Paul George led Indiana with 18 points, while Jeff Teague added 16 points and seven assists.

After a three-game road trip, the Pacers will return to Bankers Life Fieldhouse to host the Toronto Raptors on Tuesday, April 4 at 7:00 PM ET. That night will also be the 2010s Decade Game and all fans in attendance will receive a bobblehead of All-Star forward Paul George. Find Tickets »

TV: FOX Sports Indiana - Chris Denari (play-by-play), Quinn Buckner (analyst), Jeremiah Johnson (sideline reporter/host)
Radio: 107.5 FM/AM 1070 The Fan - Mark Boyle (play-by-play), Austin Croshere (analyst), Pat Boylan (studio host)
Please Note: For the remainder of the season, all Pacers radio broadcasts can be heard on FM 107.5 as well as AM 1070 The Fan.

State Hat - $10. Game Night Specials can be purchased online the day of each away game from 10:00 AM - Midnight. Order Online »