The Toronto Raptors will play in their NBA Cup finale when they host the Indiana Pacers at Scotiabank Arena.
This game will mean nothing for either team in terms of the NBA Cup, as both sit at the bottom of the group at 0-3 and are eliminated from the knockout stage. However, this game will count towards the regular season standings.
These teams last squared off over two weeks ago when the Raptors snapped a seven-game losing streak, beating the Pacers 130-119.
The duo of RJ Barrett and Jakob Poeltl lifted the Raptors to victory as Barrett dropped 39 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 assists. Meanwhile, Poeltl had an impressive double-double with 30 points and 15 rebounds to go along with 2 steals and 2 blocks.
Since then the Raptors have been playing much better. They have won 4 of their last 7 games. Of course that’s in large part to the Raptors getting Scottie Barnes back from injury as he returned from his orbital fracture and has been playing All-Star level basketball. In his last 6 games since returning from injury, Barnes has been averaging 21.7 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 7.7 assists.
Barnes and Barrett who is coming of a tremendous performance in a win over the Miami Heat of 37 points on 15-for-20 shooting will be handful for the Pacers.
Gradey Dick (calf) is questionable to play tonight. Meanwhile, Immanuel Quickley (elbow), Bruce brown (knee) and Kelly Olynyk (back) are out.
The Pacers will come into this matchup looking to snap a six-game road losing streak.
They Pacers need Tyrese Haliburton to break out of his road slump and will need to rely on former Raptor Pascal Siakam. Siakam has played well against his former team putting up 22.8 points, 8.3 rebounds and 5.3 assists while shooting 49.3 percent from the field across four games, per statmuse.
Andrew Nembhard is questionable for the Pacers. Aaron Nesmith (ankle), Ben Sheppard (oblique), Isaiah Jackson (achillies) and James Wiseman (achillies) are all out.
Indiana Pacers (9-12) vs. Toronto Raptors (6-15)
7:30 p.m. EST, Tuesday, December 3, 2024
Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, Ontario
TV: TSN
Projected Raptors Starting Lineup:
PG: Scottie Barnes
SG: Ja’Kobe Walter
SF: RJ Barrett
PF: Ochai Agbaji
C: Jakob Poeltl
Key Reserves: Chris Boucher, Jonathan Mogbo, Jamison Battle
Projected Pacers Starting Lineup:
PG: Tyrese Haliburton
SG: Andrew Nembhard
SF: Ben Mathurin
PF: Pascal Siakam
C: Myles Turner
Key Reserves: T.J. McConnell, Jarace Walker, Obi Toppin
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