Raptors at Pacers
THE STORY: While it may have been optimistic to peg the Toronto
Raptors as a playoff contender at the outset of the season, a rash of
injuries hasn't exactly made things easier. The Raptors look to be
without another of their key players Monday as they finish off a
back-to-back road set against the Indiana Pacers. Toronto was run out of
Oklahoma City in the second and third quarters of a 91-75 loss to the
Thunder on Sunday. The Pacers are coming off an 86-72 loss to Boston on
Saturday but still occupy the third spot in the East.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, TSN (Toronto), FS Indiana
ABOUT THE RAPTORS (20-37):
With Toronto already using a handful of NBA Development League players,
the last thing the team wanted was another injury situation. Yet,
that's exactly what the Raptors face after watching franchise big man
Andrea Bargnani leave Sunday's loss in Oklahoma City with tightness in
his troublesome left calf. He is considered doubtful for Monday's game,
and may see limited action the rest of the season. Bargnani leads the
Raptors in scoring at just under 20 points per game but has appeared in
only 31 games because of the injury.
ABOUT THE PACERS (34-22): With Indiana looking at securing
home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs, the team was
given a sobering look at the kind of basketball they'll likely be
playing once the postseason arrives. The Celtics limited Indiana to just
over 35 percent shooting in yet another solid defensive performance.
"They controlled the game from the get-go," Pacers forward David West
said. "They are a veteran team and they know how to make you play at
their pace."
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. Indiana has a pair of five-point wins in the first two meetings this season.
2. The Pacers have won six consecutive home games against Toronto.
3.
Toronto has the third-highest shooting percentage in the Eastern
Conference since the All-Star break, hitting at a 46-percent clip.