Raptors Getting Healthy and Picking Up Wins

The Toronto Raptors ended a season-worst 15-game losing streak recently that put them out of playoff contention but have now won two straight games after a 130-122 win over the Wizards at home on Sunday night. Immanuel Quickley came through with a season-high 31 points to go along with 13 assists to lead the Raptors to their 25th win of the season. RJ Barrett, playing for just the third in the last 12 games added 22 points and Kelly Olynyk scored 21 points as the Raptors snapped an eight-game home losing streak. The two straight wins also mark their first winning streak of any kind since winning three in a row from February 22nd to February 26th.

“Two good wins,” Quickley said. “We have to continue to build off that.”

The Raptors can play the role of spoiler as they battle the playoff-bound Pacers on Tuesday night. The Raptors have won two straight games and have benefitted from the return of some of their key players in recent games. They are 19th in the NBA in scoring this season. The Raptors are 16th in field goal shooting and just 26th in 3-point shooting. They are also just 26th in the NBA in 3-point field goals made per game. On the defensive end, the Raptors are 24th in scoring defense this season. They are 23rd in field goal defense and 26th in 3-point defense. The Raptors are also 26th in the NBA in 3-point field goals allowed per game. Toronto is 20th in total rebounds per game this season and 20th in fewest turnovers per game.

Keeping Pace

The Indiana Pacers are playing their best basketball at the right time as they roll into Toronto on Tuesday night. The Pacers are 7-3 in their last ten games including two straight wins. On Sunday, the Pacers took down the Miami Heat 117-115 to push their lead over the 7th-seeded Heat to a game and a half. Miles Turner, playing with a dislocated index finger, poured in 22 points to go along with 13 rebounds to lead the Pacers over the Heat. Turner was one of seven Pacers to score in double figures in the contest including guard T.J. McConnell who had 22 points on 11-of-14 shooting off the bench.

“We know what time of the year it is, we know we control our own destiny,” Turner said. “This time of year, it’s something I feel is necessary. Like, everybody is dealing with something right now, so you have to buckle down and play through injuries.”

The Pacers are in sixth place in the Eastern Conference with just three games left as they fight to avoid the play-in round of the Eastern Conference playoffs. Indiana has a record of 45-34 mainly on the strength of their fast-paced offense. The Pacers are first in the NBA in scoring this season. They are 1st in field goal shooting and 10th in 3-point shooting. The Pacers are 12th in the NBA in 3-point field goals made per game as well. On the defensive end, the Pacers are 27th in points allowed per game this season. They are last in field goal defense and 15th in 3-point defense. The Pacers are first in the NBA in 3-point field goals allowed per game. They are just 28th in total rebounds per game and 11th in turnovers per game.