Raptors and Pacers Set for Midwest Battle
The Toronto Raptors take on the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Saturday night.

The Raptors (3-3) got off to a rocky start this season with losses in three of their first four games, but they've bounced back notch victories in two straight. Toronto's most recent success came at the expense of the Orlando Magic, which they toppled by a 110-109 score on Friday night. Scottie Barnes paced the Raptors with 21 points, complementing them with nine rebounds, one assist, two steals and one block. Fred VanVleet and Gary Trent, Jr. posted matching 19-point tallies while dishing out six assists and three rebounds, respectively. OG Anunoby provided 16 points, five boards and three assists.

The Raptors will list Yuta Watanbe (calf) and Pascal Siakam (shoulder) as out for Saturday's contest.

The Pacers (1-5) started their season off with a narrow 123-122 defeat to the Charlotte Hornets, and matters have mostly only gotten worse. Indiana will come into Friday's contest having dropped three straight games, with their most recent stumble a 105-98 defeat at the hands of the Brooklyn Nets on Friday night. Torrey Craig led the way for the Pacers with a 28-point, 11-rebound double-double that also included three assists. Chris Duarte supplied 19 points, four rebounds, two assists, one steal and one block. Domantas Sabonis registered 16 points, seven rebounds, six assists, three steals and one block. Jeremy Lamb contributed 12 points, while Myles Turner mustered nine points, nine rebounds, two assists, two blocks and one steal.

The Pacers will likely list Malcolm Brogdon (hamstring), Caris LeVert (back) and Kelan Martin (hamstring) as no better than questionable for Saturday's game. Isaiah Jackson (knee) and T.J. Warren (foot) will remain out.

Saturday's game marks the second of four meetings between the teams this season. The Raptors own a 1-0 series lead, having notched a 118-100 win Wednesday night. The Raptors won the 2020-21 season series with the Pacers by a 2-1 margin.
Posted on: 10/29/2021 9:22 PM