The Indiana Pacers and Toronto Raptors meet on December 3 in a battle to earn their first NBA Cup victory. Both teams enter the matchup with 0-3 records in group play. The game takes place at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto.
Indiana is coming off a 136-121 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies on Sunday. The defeat extended their road struggles, dropping their record to 2-9 in away games. Toronto, meanwhile, secured a 119-116 win over the Miami Heat, marking a positive start to their seven-game homestand.
This is the second meeting between the two teams in the past two weeks. The Raptors defeated the Pacers 130-119 on November 18, with RJ Barrett delivering a season-high 39 points. Indiana aims to turn the tide in their favor this time around.
Indiana Pacers
Indiana’s offense is led by Bennedict Mathurin, who scored 19 points and grabbed nine rebounds in their last game against Memphis. Mathurin has been a consistent performer for the Pacers throughout the season.
Veteran forward Pascal Siakam, who joined Indiana from Toronto, contributed 17 points and six assists in the loss. Siakam will look to make an impact against his former team once again.
Guard Andrew Nembhard made his return from a 12-game absence due to a knee injury, scoring 14 points and adding four assists in limited minutes. His presence provides a boost to Indiana’s backcourt depth.
Injuries remain a concern for Indiana. Ben Sheppard is sidelined with an oblique injury, and Aaron Nesmith has not played since early November due to an ankle issue. Both absences affect the team’s rotational options.
Toronto Raptors
Toronto’s recent success has been fueled by RJ Barrett. The Toronto-born guard scored 37 points against Miami, continuing his dominant performances at home, where he averages 30.4 points per game this season.
Scottie Barnes has also been a key contributor. Barnes came close to a triple-double in the win over Miami, finishing with 23 points, 10 rebounds, and nine assists. His versatility on both ends of the court gives Toronto a much-needed edge.
Center Jakob Poeltl added 17 points and 11 rebounds against Miami. Poeltl’s presence in the paint is critical for a Raptors team that has struggled with rebounding consistency.
Toronto is dealing with injuries of its own. Gradey Dick is questionable with a calf injury, while Immanuel Quickley and Kelly Olynyk remain out. The Raptors will rely on their depth to manage these absences.
Pick and Prediction
The Pacers and Raptors both have struggled defensively, leading to high-scoring games. Indiana’s road woes and Toronto’s strong play at home give the Raptors a slight advantage in this contest.
Expect a close game, but the Raptors should pull away late, with Barrett and Barnes leading the charge.
- Prediction: Toronto Raptors 125, Indiana Pacers 118
