(My Sportsbook) - The
Indiana Pacers hope to build off an encouraging recent victory when the slumping
Toronto Raptors enter Conseco Fieldhouse tonight for a matchup between last-place teams.
The Pacers, who currently reside in the basement of the Central Division with a 14-25 record, ended a three-game losing streak with a hard-fought 110-106 overtime win over Detroit Wednesday in Indianapolis. Danny Granger compiled 24 points and 10 rebounds for Indiana, which also received 23 points from ex- Raptor T.J. Ford on the evening.
Troy Murphy amassed 18 points and 13 rebounds for the Pacers, who were playing for the first time since returning from a rough five-game road trip in which the club went 1-4. Indiana is a respectable 8-9 at Conseco Fieldhouse so far this season and has won two in a row as the host.
Toronto has dropped its previous three tilts to fall into last place in the Eastern Division with a 16-24 overall mark. After losing both ends of a home- and-home set with defending world champion Boston, the Raptors came out on the short end of a 102-98 decision against Chicago Wednesday at the Air Canada Centre.
The loss overshadowed an outstanding performance from Toronto's Andrea Bargnani, with the former No. 1 overall pick delivering a career-best 31 points along with grabbing 10 rebounds. Chris Bosh tallied 25 points for the Raptors in defeat.
Toronto played Wednesday's test without the services of veteran center Jermaine O'Neal, and the former Pacer is not expected to face his old team as well tonight because of a troublesome right knee that has sidelined him for nine straight games.
O'Neal, who spent eight seasons in Indiana and made six All-Star teams during his tenure with the Pacers, was traded to the Raptors in July as part of a six-player deal that sent Ford to Indiana.
Toronto will also likely be without point guard Jose Calderon for tonight's matchup. The 27-year-old Spaniard has sat out six of the Raptors' last seven games with a strained right hamstring.
These teams met in Toronto last month, with the Raptors registering a 101-88 victory on their home floor. Toronto has won five of its last six encounters with the Pacers, including both matchups held at Conseco Fieldhouse over that time.
