Indiana Pacers game preview: Pacers and Mavericks battle for the first time of the 2022-23 season
The Indiana Pacers and Dallas Mavericks will battle for the first time of the 2022-23 NBA season tonight. The Mavericks are the only team that the Pacers have not yet played in this campaign.
Tonight has two reunions as Rick Carlisle returns to Dallas for just the second time after coaching the franchise and Justin Holiday suits up against his former team, the Pacers. Holiday signed with the Mavs recently while Carlisle spent 13 seasons with the franchise.
Viewing and Betting Information
Tip off time: 8:30 p.m. Eastern Time
Location: American Airlines Center, Dallas, Texas
Where to watch: NBA League Pass, Bally Sports Indiana/Bally Sports+, Bally Sports Southwest
Spread and Over/Under: The Pacers are heavy underdogs as they are +8.5 in the SI Sportsbook. The over/under for the game is 236.5.
Pacers vs Mavericks Injury Report
For the Pacers, 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 Mavericks, Davis Bertans is out. Maxi Kleber is questionable.
Key Matchups
Tyrese Haliburton vs Kyrie Irving: Two Eastern Conference All-Star point guards will battle tonight as Tyrese Haliburton and Kyrie Irving face off. It's the first time the Pacers have played against the Mavericks since they acquired Irving.
Irving is averaging 26.2 points per game for Dallas and is figuring out how to play alongside Luka Doncic. Haliburton, meanwhile, had 15 points and 14 assists on Saturday night and continues to be the leader of Indiana's offense. He has been great this season, and this matchup will be crucial tonight.
Andrew Nembhard vs Luka Doncic: Andrew Nembhard has been very impressive on the defensive end for the Pacers this season. He is drawing starts, and tough matchups, every night as a result.
Tonight, though, he will have to deal with an MVP candidate in Doncic. The Slovenian guard leads the league with over 33 points per game, so Nembhard will have his hands full defensively. Any success slowing Doncic down will go a long way towards giving the Pacers a chance in this one.
- Myles Turner shows off improved offensive skills with a 40-point game vs Boston Celtics. CLICK HERE.
- Buddy Hield sets the Indiana Pacers franchise record for three pointers made in a single season. CLICK HERE.
- AllPacers goes one-on-one with new Indiana Pacers forward Jordan Nwora, CLICK HERE, and guard Trevelin Queen. CLICK HERE.
- Malcolm Brogdon returns to Indiana with fond memories of his Pacers tenure. CLICK HERE.
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- Follow AllPacers on Twitter: @SIPacers
