Indiana Pacers vs Houston Rockets preview: Start time, where to watch, injury report, betting odds December 26
The Indiana Pacers travel to Houston to take on the Rockets on Tuesday after two days off. The blue and gold are slumping hard and have lost six of their last seven games to fall back to .500.
The Rockets, meanwhile, are 7-3 in their last 10 games and are a solid young team. They have been excellent at home and beat the Pacers by 19 points during preseason action. Houston has a great defense and will be a tough opponent for Indiana.
Viewing and Betting Information
Tip off time: 8 p.m. Eastern Time
Location: Toyota Center, Houston, Texas
Where to watch: NBA League Pass, Bally Sports Indiana, Bally Sports+, AT&T SportsNet Southwest/Space City Home Network
Spread and Over/Under: The Pacers are slight underdogs as they are currently +2.5 in the SI Sportsbook. The over/under for the game is 237.5.
Pacers vs Rockets Injury Report
For the Pacers, Bruce Brown (right knee bone bruise) is questionable. He missed a game for the first time of the season on Saturday due to the injury. Kendall Brown, Oscar Tshiebwe, and Isaiah Wong are questionable as a part of their two-way contracts.
For the Rockets, Victor Oladipo is out. Reggie Bullock Jr and Tari Eason are questionable.
Key Matchup
Myles Turner vs Alperen Sengun: Sengun has played at or near an All-Star level this season. He's averaging 20.4 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 5.2 assists per game so far this campaign. He can do a little bit of everything and is a threatening offensive player.
Sengun scored 15 points when the Pacers and Rockets met in the preseason. Turner, Indiana's starting big man, is going to have to be locked in defensively to all of the little things that Sengun does and can do while also making him move defensively — the Turkish mega talent is a little slow, Turner can expose that.
- Tyrese Haliburton is working through increased attention and pressure from defenses for the Indiana Pacers. CLICK HERE.
- James Johnson back with Indiana Pacers to provide wisdom and toughness. CLICK HERE.
- Indiana Pacers rookie Jarace Walker named to G League 2023 All-Showcase Team. CLICK HERE.
- Indiana Pacers fall short against Orlando Magic on home floor. CLICK HERE.
- Follow AllPacers on Facebook: All Pacers SI
- Follow AllPacers on Twitter: @SIPacers