Indiana Pacers game preview: Pacers host Chicago Bulls in final game before All-Star break
The Indiana Pacers host the Chicago Bulls tonight in the Pacers final game before the All-Star break. Both teams are on a losing streak entering the game as Chicago has lost four straight games and Indiana has lost five.
The Pacers beat the Bulls in late January after an impressive comeback effort. Both teams sit just outside of the play-in tournament picture in the Eastern Conference with about one-fourth of the season remaining.
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+, NBC Sports Chicago
Spread and Over/Under: The Pacers are slight favorites as they are -2.5 in the SI Sportsbook. The over/under for the game is 231.5.
Pacers vs Bulls Injury Report
For the Pacers, center Myles Turner (sore lower back) and center Daniel Theis (sprained right thumb) are questionable. Guard Trevelin Queen and wing Kendall Brown may be in the G League as a part of their two-way contracts.
For the Bulls, Lonzo Ball, DeMar DeRozan, Javonte Green, Derrick Jones Jr, and Marko Simonovic are out. Alex Caruso is questionable. Goran Dragic is probable.
Key Matchups
Buddy Hield vs Zach LaVine: The last time the Pacers and Bulls battled, the Pacers held Zach LaVine to 14 points. It was a team effort, but T.J. McConnell did well on the talented Bulls guard for several possessions.
McConnell won't start for the Pacers this time around, though, and Buddy Hield could get some head-to-head time with the two-time All-Star. If Hield and the Pacers can slow LaVine again, they'll have a good chance at winning tonight. If not, Hield will need to step up offensively.
Tyrese Haliburton vs Ayo Dosunmu: Ayo Dosunmu is a talented defender for Chicago, and he has improved his abilities on the ball in his second season. He's a good point guard for Chicago.
That said, Pacers All-Star Tyrese Haliburton has been better. The point guard is still averaging 20+ points and 10+ assists per game, and he can carve up defenses any given night. If he can dominate his matchup with Dosunmu, that will bode well for Indiana's chances.
- Indiana Pacers pivot to asset acquisition mode after aggressive trade deadline plans don't materialize. CLICK HERE.
- Why a contract extension made sense for the Indiana Pacers and Myles Turner. CLICK HERE.
- Full trade: Indiana Pacers acquire Jordan Nwora, George Hill, Serge Ibaka, three second-round picks, and cash for draft rights to Juan Pablo Vaulet. CLICK HERE.
- Source: Indiana Pacers to waive forward Terry Taylor. CLICK HERE.
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