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Raptors favored, but can they cover at home?
8 Feb
Summary
- Pacers traded Ivica Zubac for draft picks and players.
- Tyrese Haliburton is out for the season with an Achilles injury.
- Raptors are 8.5-point favorites but struggle against the spread at home.
The Toronto Raptors are favored by 8.5 points against the Indiana Pacers on Sunday. However, Toronto has struggled against the spread at home this season, holding an 11-16 record. The Pacers made a significant trade, acquiring Ivica Zubac from the Los Angeles Clippers in exchange for Bennedict Mathurin, Isaiah Jackson, and draft picks, indicating a focus on future seasons.
Indiana's Tyrese Haliburton is out for the remainder of the season due to an Achilles injury. The Pacers will also be without Zubac for this matchup, potentially leaving them with limited rotation players. Their road record has been particularly poor, with only a 3-21 straight-up record and a -12.7 net rating. The Raptors, conversely, are above .500 at home and have a strong record against teams with losing records. Toronto has already secured three wins against Indiana this season. The Raptors' defense ranks sixth in the NBA in defensive rating, which could stifle the Pacers' offense, the worst in the league in offensive rating.
