Who Will They Play? A Possible Indiana Pacers Playoff Teaser

The Toronto Raptors

The scouting report: After 2 straight embarrassing first round exits, the Raptors are back and playing with a purpose. They are currently the 2 seed, and still have an outside chance of catching Cleveland for the top spot. There was talk that management might rebuild, but the Raptors chose to essentially run it back and signed DeMarre Carrol to shore up their defensive issues. When healthy, they have 4 borderline All-Star level starters (Kyle Lowry, DeMar DeRozan, DeMarre Carroll, and Jonas Valanciunas).

Pros: Despite being 1-2 versus the Raptors this year, the Pacers are a +2 overall, as they routed the Raptors 106-90 in December. The Raptors start former Pacer Luis Scola at power forward. Scola has the guile and a wide repertoire on offense, but he will struggle to stay with Myles Turner. After losing in the first round the last two years, it’s highly doubtful the Raptors are intimidating anyone in the playoffs, despite the gaudy record.

Cons: The foursome of Lowry, DeRozan, Carroll, and Valanciunas is formidable. Monta Ellis will have to guard either DeRozan or Carroll, both of whom are much larger and stronger. DeRozan averages more than 9 free throw attempts per game, and Ellis will struggle against badly to limit him. The Pacers would not have home court advantage.

The Prediction: The Pacers absolutely can beat the Raptors in a 7 game series, but would need a lot of things to break their way, and Myles Turner to play beyond his years. It’s likely that the series would be hard-fought, but the Raptors would eventually move on. This seems like the likely matchup as of writing.

Toronto Raptors vs Indiana Pacers | PointAfter

Next: The Atlanta Hawks