The Pacers played valiantly last game against the Pistons but, inevitably, came up short. Unfortunately, they face another team on a massive win streak tonight and, again, valor will not be enough to secure victory. In order to win, they'll have to do what good teams do and come up with enough stops to put an opponent away.

That will be tough against a Toronto team that plays much like the Pacers did last year. They come at you in waves and push the pace in transition. About 20% of their possessions are considered transition opportunities, most in the NBA. That starts with their aggressive defense and ability to generate turnovers.

The good news for the Pacers is that they are starting to look like the team we expected this season, with Nembhard, Mathurin, and McConnell all finding their sea legs. They should be able to handle the Raptors' pressure, provided that the team can cash in on the opportunities that come from an aggressive defense in rotation.

If role players like Jarace Walker, who had a career night against the Pistons, can contribute, we might be able to finally get a Cup win – a feat that has eluded the team since its loss in the '23 Cup Final.

Injuries

Nothing new for the Pacers. RJ Barrett is out for the Raptors.

How to Watch

Tipoff is at 7:30 PM ET.

TV: FanDuel Sports Network, WALV, Prime Video, Pluto TV

Radio: 93.5/107.5 The Fan

See ya in the comments!

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