Matchup
After a stunning loss on Wednesday night in Toronto, the Pacers (31-20) will have a chance at revenge on Friday, when the Raptors (37-14) visit Bankers Life Fieldhouse on the second half of a home-and-home set.
The Blue & Gold were brilliant for most of Wednesday night in Toronto. They erupted for 43 points in the second quarter, matched a franchise record with 19 3-pointers, and led by 10 points with 2:27 remaining. The Pacers appeared on their way to snapping the Raptors' 11-game win streak, but everything that could go wrong did in the final minutes.
The Raptors scored on their final six possessions and forced four turnovers in the final 1:41, closing the night with an 11-0 run to stun the Pacers, 119-118.
"They executed," said Pacers guard Victor Oladipo, who had 13 points on 5-of-14 shooting in his first start of the season. "We didn't execute. I felt like they knew exactly what they wanted to do down the stretch and I felt like we didn't."
Indiana has now dropped three straight, while Toronto extended its win streak to 12 games. Boston has the next closest win streak in the league at five games. Still, Wednesday's performance at Toronto should give the Pacers confidence that they can hang with the red-hot Raptors.
The Pacers and Raptors could very well meet in the playoffs and this home-and-home set serves as a bit of a practice playoff series for Indiana. Can they have short memories and bounce back after a gut-wrenching loss? If they can answer that question with a yes on Friday, that could be a good sign come April.
Projected Starters
Malcolm Brogdon
Victor Oladipo
Jeremy Lamb
Domantas Sabonis
Myles Turner
Kyle Lowry
Fred VanVleet
OG Anunoby
Pascal Siakam
Serge Ibaka
Pacers: PG - Malcolm Brogdon, SG - Victor Oladipo, SF - Jeremy Lamb, PF - Domantas Sabonis, C - Myles Turner
Raptors: PG - Kyle Lowry, SG - Fred VanVleet, SF - OG Anunoby, PF - Pascal Siakam, C - Serge Ibaka
Injury Report
Pacers: T.J. Warren - out (concussion)
Raptors: Marc Gasol - out (left hamstring tightness), Dewan Hernandez - out (right ankle sprain), Norman Powell - out (left hand fracture, fourth metacarpal)
Last Meeting
February 5, 2020: Serge Ibaka's 3-pointer with 30.4 seconds remaining capped an 11-0 Raptors run in a 1:40 span as Toronto stunned the Pacers, 119-118.
The Raptors scored 71 points over the final two quarters, rallying from a deficit as large as 19. Kyle Lowry led Toronto with 32 points, eight rebounds, and 10 assists. Ibaka added 30 points and seven rebounds, while Pascal Siakam added 25 points, nine rebounds, five assists, and three steals.
Malcolm Brogdon led Indiana with 24 points on 10-of-14 shooting and six assists. Justin Holiday added 22 points off the bench in the loss, going 6-for-9 from 3-point range.
Noteworthy
- The season series between Indiana and Toronto is tied 1-1, with each time winning on their home floor. After Friday, the two teams will meet once more in Toronto on Feb. 23.
- The Pacers have won their last two meetings against the Raptors at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.
- Indiana is 2-5 on the season when playing on the first night of a back-to-back, though all but one of those games have been away from home.
- Pacers forward Domantas Sabonis was drafted to play on Team LeBron in his first All-Star Game next weekend, where he will be coached by former Pacers coach Frank Vogel. Raptors All-Stars Pascal Siakam and Kyle Lowry were both drafted to Team Giannis. Raptors coach Nick Nurse will also serve as coach of Team Giannis.
Tickets
The Pacers return home to complete a home-and-home set with Pascal Siakam and the Raptors at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on Friday, Feb. 7 at 8:00 PM ET. Find Tickets »
Broadcast Information TV & Radio Listings »
TV: FOX Sports Indiana - Chris Denari (play-by-play), Quinn Buckner (analyst), Jeremiah Johnson (sideline reporter/host)
ESPN - Mark Jones (play-by-play), Richard Jefferson (analyst), Jorge Sedano (sideline reporter)
Radio: 93.5/107.5 FM/1070 AM The Fan - Mark Boyle (play-by-play), Pat Boylan (studio host)
Please Note: Inside Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Pacers radio broadcasts can be heard on 1080 AM instead of 1070.