Indiana Pacers game preview: Pacers and Chicago Bulls battle in the Windy City with tiebreaker implications on the line
The Indiana Pacers and Chicago Bulls will battle for the final time of the 2022-23 season on Sunday. The Pacers currently lead the season series 2-1, and the home team has won all three games.
Because the series is currently 2-1, there are significant playoff tiebreaker implications involved in Sunday's contest. Indiana is one game behind Chicago in the standings, and both teams are within striking distance of the play-in tournament.
Young forward Terry Taylor, who the Pacers waived at the trade deadline, signed with the Bulls 11 days ago. Taylor will go against Indiana for the first time of his career if he suits up in this game.
Viewing and Betting Information
Tip off time: 3:30 p.m. Eastern Time
Location: United Center, Chicago, Illinois
Where to watch: NBA League Pass, Bally Sports Indiana/Bally Sports+, NBC Sports Chicago
Spread and Over/Under: The Pacers are underdogs as they are +6.5 in the SI Sportsbook. The over/under for the game is 226.5.
Pacers vs Bulls Injury Report
For the Pacers, Tyrese Haliburton is questionable with a sore right calf. Wing Aaron Nesmith is questionable with a sore left hip while guard Trevelin Queen is questionable as he may be in the G League as a part of his two-way contract. Wing Kendall Brown is out with a stress fracture in his right tibia.
For the Bulls, Lonzo Ball, Javonte Green, Carlik Jones, and Marko Simonovic are out.
Key Matchups
Tyrese Haliburton vs Patrick Beverley: Pacers All-Star point guard Tyrese Haliburton will be crucial for Indiana in this matchup. If he plays, he is the engine that makes the Pacers go, and he had 16 points and eight assists against Chicago last month.
Patrick Beverley has since signed with the Bulls, and he took a matchup with Haliburton personally earlier this season. If he plays with that passion again Sunday, Haliburton will have his hands full.
Aaron Nesmith vs DeMar DeRozan: DeMar DeRozan is one of the NBA's best scorers, and he is averaging 25.1 points per game. He became a six-time All-Star this season — Chicago counts on his production every day.
Aaron Nesmith, the Pacers best wing defender, will have the tough assignment of slowing him down. He had 21 points against the Bulls last month, and that level of performance will be crucial again on Sunday.
- Myles Turner is playing the best basketball of his career for the Indiana Pacers. CLICK HERE.
- Aaron Nesmith put in the extra work with the Boston Celtics. It's paying off for the Indiana Pacers. CLICK HERE.
- AllPacers goes one-on-one with new Indiana Pacers forward Jordan Nwora, CLICK HERE, and guard Trevelin Queen. CLICK HERE.
- Retired NBA players say that they would like to play for Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle. CLICK HERE.
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