Game Preview: Pacers at Raptors

Last Updated: Dec. 12 at 6:00 p.m.   

The Pacers (7-15) are mired in a six-game losing streak and the schedule doesn't get any easier. Indiana heads north of the border on Friday night to take on the Toronto Raptors (16-6). The Raptors currently lead the Eastern Conference by a half-game over Atlanta and Washington.

In Wednesday night's 103-96 loss to the Clippers, the Pacers got a great effort from its second unit, which scored a season-high 66 points. C.J. Miles exploded for a season-best 30 points while knocking down 7-of-14 3-pointers and backup big men Luis Scola and Lavoy Allen each recorded double-doubles.

Unfortunately for Indiana, its starters couldn't muster much of anything. All five starters had a +/- differential between -20 and -30 on the night. David West had just two points on 1-of-7 shooting, while center Roy Hibbert played just over 12 minutes. The Pacers clearly need more production from their star post players and Pacers head coach Frank Vogel said after the game that "something's got to change" with the starting unit.

Following Thursday's practice, Vogel said he was still undecided about whether he would make any alterations. One thing that Vogel said "will factor into the decision" is how well the second unit has played together. With his bench playing so well, Vogel may not want to disrupt their chemistry by switching up the rotation.

Despite the recent skid, the mood at Thursday's practice was more upbeat than it had been in recent days.

"I think our spirit's good," Vogel said. "I think we understand where we're at and still have a strong belief that we can have a really good season. We've just got to keep teaching, keep grinding, keep working."

Part of the problem for the Blue-and-Gold in recent games has been falling into early holes — the Pacers have trailed by 10 or more points in the first quarter of each of their last three games. Toronto has the firepower to keep that trend going. The Raptors rank second in the NBA in points per game (108.5 points per game). Toronto is also one of the best teams at not turning the ball over, committing just 11.5 turnovers per game, fourth-fewest in the league.

The Raptors' attack is led by point guard Kyle Lowry, who averages 20.1 points and 7.5 assists per game. Second-leading scorer DeMar DeRozan is currently sidelined by injury, but four other players also boast a double-digit scoring average.

C.J. Watson

Rodney Stuckey

C.J. Miles

David West

Roy Hibbert

Kyle Lowry

Greivis Vasquez

Terrence Ross

Amir Johnson

Jonas Valanciunas

Pacers: PG - C.J. Watson, SG - Rodney Stuckey, SF - C.J. Miles, PF - David West, C - Roy Hibbert
Raptors: PG - Kyle Lowry, SG - Greivis Vasquez, SF - Terrence Ross, PF - Amir Johnson, C - Jonas Valanciunas

Pacers: Paul George - out (rehabilitation, fractured right tibia/fibula), George Hill - out (left knee contusion), Ian Mahinmi - out (torn left plantar fascia)

Raptors: DeMar DeRozan - out (torn left adductor longus tendon)

"They have weapons at every position. Their spread pick-and-roll attack off their bench I know is very strong. Lowry obviously is the head of the snake. (Jonas) Valanciunas grows every year. (Terrence) Ross is growing even more with (DeMar) DeRozan being out. They have tremendous firepower. It's the reason that they're best in the East." -Vogel on the Raptors

"(He was) making defensive plays, too. That's what I was happy with. He seems to be continuing to grow in regard (to) playing the way the Pacers play, with defense and rebounding first and a high motor on the offensive end. And his shot-making's coming." -Vogel on C.J. Miles' game against the Clippers

"We can't let some of the things that have been going on take the life out of us. I think when you start getting down and you start overthinking the game and guys start taking confidence away from themselves, that really hurts the morale as a whole. I think our biggest thing is...to come in here and have fun while we're working hard to keep guys' spirits up." -Miles

"The morale is low, but for us to get out of it, we need to raise the morale level higher. And we're working on it. We're working on it every day. Sometimes one big win is what makes a change, and I think it's about to come." -Pacers forward Luis Scola

"We just tried to get ourselves in a good mindset that we have to realistic and optimistic at the same time. Look forward and just try to get better every day." -Pacers forward Damjan Rudez

April 4, 2014: The Blue-and-Gold dropped their sixth straight road game, falling to the Raptors in Toronto, 102-94. Indiana took a 94-92 lead with 4:24 remaining, but the Raptors closed the game on a 10-0 run as the Pacers missed their final seven shots.

Paul George scored a game-high 26 points and grabbed six rebounds in the loss. David West added 21 points, seven boards, and four assists.

Terrence Ross led five Raptors in double figures with 24 points, going 5-for-8 from 3-point range. Jonas Valanciunas had 22 points and nine rebounds, while DeMar DeRozan added 20 points and nine assists.

TV: FOX Sports Indiana - Chris Denari (play-by-play), Quinn Buckner (analyst), Jeremiah Johnson (sideline reporter/host)
Radio: 107.5/1070 The Fan - Mark Boyle (play-by-play), Pat Boylan (studio host)

The Pacers return to Bankers Life Fieldhouse on Saturday, Dec. 13 to host LaMarcus Aldridge, Damian Lillard, and the Portland Trail Blazers. Plus, pay zero fees for any tickets purchased online through December 31, courtesy of FOX Sports Indiana. Find Tickets »