Toronto Raptors at Indiana Pacers

Considering how cold it seems to be everywhere, tonight seems like the perfect night to park yourself on the couch, get all cozy and watch the Raptors win. Wait, sorry that was a bit of an assumption. Well at least you can be warm and cozy even if the train wreck that is the Toronto Raptors season continues. Tonight JO goes home for the first time since the big trade and the word is he will be coming off the bench (if he plays). He is saying all the right things and so far has given no reason to think he is not happy about the situation. Andrea (VL) Bargnani is playing like Larry Bird and there is no way you want to mess with that. Don’t change a thing. If Andrea is hogging the TV in the locker, let him. Don’t change a thing. What the Raptors will have to change tonight is how they defend the perimeter. Just in case Jay Triano has not briefed the team, Danny Granger is good and will score 30+ before you even tie your sneaks. T.J. is coming on as of late and if you did not see it, he busted AI’s ankles the other night against the Pistons. The Pacers have a horrible record so you would think this is a very winnable game but most of the Pacers wins have come against really good teams. So be warned, they are better than you think. The Raps have to start out good and show some intensity. I can’t believe I am saying it but they all have to step up their game and play like Il Muggo. Hopefully tonight’s game does not end with Chris Bosh getting pwned by Rasho at the rim.

Here is everything you need to know for tonight’s game.

The Goods

  • O’Neal is expected to miss his 10th straight game with a sore right knee.
  • O’Neal is Toronto’s second-leading scorer with 14.0 points per game, but he’s already missed 12 games due to injury, including the last nine with a sore right knee.
  • The Raptors were outscored 44-26 in the paint and 34-27 in the fourth quarter of a 102-98 loss to Chicago on Wednesday.
  • Indiana won for the first time in five overtime games Wednesday, topping Detroit 110-106.
  • Indiana has lost 13 games by six points or fewer, but has already notched four wins by that same margin this month.
  • T.J. Ford had 23 points, six rebounds and four assists in 28-plus minutes off the bench Wednesday.

For Bettors

The Raptors are 6-1 ATS in the last 7 meetings in Indiana.

The Raptors are 5-1 ATS in the last 6 meetings.

The under is 6-2 in the last 8 meetings.

The favorite is 5-2 ATS in the last 7 meetings.

Prediction

Now keep in mind I am really feeling a lot of negative energy for this team and it is really hard to see them winning any games with all of the problems that have. I was listening to a radio call-in show and optimistic fans are still dreaming of a six seed. God love you guys. Me, I kind of want them to tank and get a good lottery pick and draft an athletic kid from one of the NCAA power schools. So with that being said, I think they will find a way to lose tonight. Granger will expose all the Raps weaknesses and score 35 points. Pacers win 102-95.

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