2016 NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs predictions

2) Toronto Raptors vs Indiana Pacers

Kyle Lowry is the star man for the Toronto Raptors

Raptors Record: 56-26 (Home 32-9; Road 24-17)

Pacers Record: 45-37 (Home 26-15; Road 19-22)

Season series: 3-1 to the Raptors

The Raptors have one of the best backcourts in the game in Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan, players who combine for an average of 44.7 ppg. The addition of DeMarre Carroll gives them a legitimate 3-and-D guy and they have genuine low-post scoring depth in Valanciunas.

Dwane Casey is the favourite for Coach of the year and the Raptors seem primed for a very deep playoff run.

The opposite can be said for the Pacers, as they are one of the toughest teams to predict in the league. The growth of Myles Turner and Ian Mahinmi give the Pacers legitimate frontcourt depth, but considering how Paul George has faded away as the season progressed and the fact that Monta Ellis and George Hill just don’t seem like a duo that fit and compliment each other, the Pacers can be expected to really struggle.

MVP of the series

Kyle Lowry will most certainly have the biggest say in the series. He will be up against Hill and Ellis mostly and considering his offensive potential he should have the biggest say in the series.

In the season series, he averaged close to 24 points per game and his big shot making ability will be key in the series. Expect him to have averages of close to 25 ppg and 7 apg.

Key matchups

The most intriguing matchup in this series will be between DeRozan and George. Both are elite two-way players and expect both to give their all in a quest to outdo each other.

The battle down low will also be intriguing with the Raptors being amongst the best shooting teams in the league and Casey may also tend towards giving Powell more time in his preferred three-guard lineup to spread the floor.

The Pacers have the definite size advantage down low, but the Raptors are an extremely disciplined defensive unit, and Mahinmi and Turner will be hard-pressed to dominate down low.

X-Factor

Luis Scola and DeMarre Carroll might very well be the X-factors in the series. The Raptors remain a very young team and Scola’s experience and pedigree can serve them well in the high-pressure situations. Scola also is a versatile low-post scorer and if the Pacers do choose to go small, he has the skill set to exploit the mismatch.

Carroll will be critical as he and DeRozan will share the responsibility of keeping George under check. The Pacers go as far as George takes them and Carroll’s defensive intensity will be important in deciding the kind of series George has. Further, Carroll is an underrated shooter and he can just turn out to be the ideal sidekick to the Lowry-DeRozan duo.

Prediction:

Raptors in 6.