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The Pacers finish up the 2020-21 regular season quite appropriately for this wild season by playing the Toronto Raptors in Tampa, Florida.
For the first time in what seems like a really long time, the Pacers won’t be severely short-handed compared to their opponent. No, that doesn’t mean the Pacers expect anyone back from the injury list, just that Toronto has a similarly loaded injury list since fading from playoff contention, including Kyle Lowry sitting out for rest...on the last day of the season.
In fact, no starter in either teams first game of the season is expected to play and Caris LeVert may be the only current “starter” on either team to play. Domantas Sabonis was close to playing yesterday and may play today after a positive pre-game workout. Malcolm Brogdon and Aaron Holiday are also close to returning, as well.
Regardless, the Pacers need to win this game against the make-shift Raps in order to secure the ninth seed in the East and host the play-in game against either Washington or Charlotte on Tuesday. A loss and they will visit the Hornets or Wiz who play each other to determine the 8th seed.
Where: Amalie Arena, Tampa, FL
When: 1:00 p.m. ET
TV: Bally Sports Indiana
Radio: 107.5 FM/AM 1070 The Fan
Projected Starting Lineups:
Pacers: Caris LeVert, Justin Holiday, Doug McDermott, Oshae Brissett, Goga Bitadze
Raptors: Malachi Flynn, Jalen Harris, Stanley Johnson, Freddie Gillespie, Khem Birch
Injury update:
IND: Aaron Holiday (big toe) - questionable, Domantas Sabonis (quad) - questionable, Caris LeVert (knee) - questionable, Edmond Sumner (knee) - out, Jeremy Lamb (knee) - out, Malcolm Brodgon (hamstring) - out, Myles Turner (big toe) - out, T.J. Warren (foot) - out
TOR: OG Anunoby (calf) - out, Rodney Hood (left hand) - out, Kyle Lowry (rest) - out, Pascal Siakam (shoulder) - out, Fred VanVleet (hip) - out, Yuta Watanabe (ankle) - out, Paul Watson (knee)- out
Enemy view: Raptors HQ
Please leave your thoughts and observations on the game in the comments.