Indiana Pacers game preview: Pacers return home against struggling Dallas Mavericks

The Pacers start a homestand tonight against the Mavericks

The Indiana Pacers and Dallas Mavericks face off tonight in Indianapolis as both teams look for a stabilizing win. Indiana has lost two games in a row while Dallas has dropped four straight.

The Mavericks and Pacers are both under .500 in their last 10 games and are struggling defensively. Each group sits just outside the play-in tournament in their conference, so one team will climb closer to the postseason with a victory.

Viewing and Betting Information

Tip off time: 7 p.m. Eastern Time

Location: Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, Indiana

Where to watch: NBA League Pass, Bally Sports Indiana/Bally Sports+, Bally Sports Southwest

Spread and Over/Under: The Pacers are slight favorites as they are -1.5 in the SI Sportsbook. The over/under for the game is 233.5.

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Pacers vs Mavericks Injury Report

For the Pacers, wing Kendall Brown (right tibia stress fracture), wing Chris Duarte (left ankle soreness), and guard Buddy Hield (non-COVID illness) are out . Guard Tyrese Haliburton (right ankle sprain — injury management) and center Myles Turner (lower back soreness/left ankle soreness — injury management) are questionable. Guard Trevelin Queen is questionable as a part of his two-way contract.

The Mavericks played yesterday, so they have not yet submitted an injury report. Tim Hardaway Jr was probable for the Mavs in Charlotte and ended up playing while two-way contract players AJ Lawson and McKinley Wright IV were out. Luka Doncic picked up his 16th technical foul of the season last night and will be suspended against the Pacers unless the technical is rescinded.

Key Matchups

Tyrese Haliburton vs Kyrie Irving: When the Pacers and Mavericks dueled in late February, the Pacers did a good job slowing down Kyrie Irving, who finished with 16 points and nine assists. That allowed Indiana to emerge with a win.

They will need to do that again tonight if they want another victory, and Tyrese Haliburton will be Irving's matchup if he plays. Haliburton had 32 points in Dallas earlier this season, so he knows how to cut apart the Mavericks defense.

George Hill vs Tim Hardaway Jr: Tim Hardaway Jr is the Mavs best bench scorer, and he had 16 points against Indiana roughly one month ago. He led Dallas off the bench on Sunday as well.

George Hill will be needed for the Pacers tonight with Bennedict Mathurin now operating as a starter while Duarte and Hield are sidelined. If Hill can outscore the Mavericks' sixth man, or at least slow him down a bit, the Pacers should win the bench battle.

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