Matt Tierney - Raptors.com
Time: (7PM ET - SN1, TSN1050)
The Raptors (16-9) are back on the road, beginning tonight in Indiana (13-9). Toronto took care of business last night by defeating Philadelphia to extend their winning streak to four. The Pacers await the Raps after a day off yesterday following a loss in Detroit Saturday night.
WHO’S HOT?
Paul George – Prior to a horrific leg break on duty with Team USA, Paul George was a budding NBA superstar. The injury was so serious that some may have doubted whether the Fresno State product could return to the same heights when he eventually returned to the court. Well it looks like he has done just that this season. He has rejuvenated a Pacers team that finished 38-44 last year. George is currently ranked fourth in the league in scoring (27 ppg) and second amongst small forwards in rebounding (8 rpg) behind only Kevin Durant.
DeMar DeRozan – Stay hot DeMar. After another stellar performance last night, the Raptors All-Star is now shooting 52% over his last four games as well as 34-37 from the FT line. It’s then no surprise that Toronto has won all four of those games and will look to keep their winning streak alive tonight against a tough Pacers team.
TOP-FIVE TILT
With more than a quarter of the season in the books, the standings are starting to take shape. Teams are jockeying for position, especially in a tight Eastern Conference where only five games separate 1st from 11th.
Tonight’s matchup between the Raptors (2nd) and Pacers (5th) sees two of the top teams in the East square off with only a game and a half between them.
Toronto is 8-5 on the road with half of those wins coming against teams in their own conference. On the flip side, Indiana boasts a perfect 6-0 record at home versus teams in the East.
These two met on opening day with the Raptors emerging victorious led by 25 points from DeRozan and 15 rebounds from Jonas Valanciunas. George was the key man that day for Indiana recording 17 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists.
Since October 28th, both teams have lost nine games with Toronto having played and won three more contests than Indiana.
The Pacers boast a top five league scorer in George while DeRozan and Lowry represent more than 41 points per game combined for the Raptors.
Everything points to a tight contest tonight with the small exception of the teams' recent form, Toronto has won four in a row and Indiana enters tonight having dropped four of five.
Watch the game highlights from 10/28 here.