Indiana Pacers game preview: Pacers take on Kevin Durant, Kyrie Iving, Nets in Brooklyn
The Indiana Pacers will travel to Brooklyn and take on the Nets on Saturday night on the second end of a back-to-back. The Pacers beat the Wizards on Friday night behind big games from Tyrese Haliburton, Myles Turner, and Buddy Hield.
The Pacers have been slowly improving over the course of the season, but the Nets present a difficult challenge with Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and Ben Simmons on the roster. Containing any of those three guys is a challenge, slowing down all three is almost impossible. The blue and gold will need to have a good offensive night to keep up with Brooklyn.
Indiana will also get to go against Edmond Sumner for the first time as Sumner spent the first four seasons of his career with the Pacers. Ex-Pacer T.J. Warren is also with the Nets, but he will not play.
Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle will be back with the team after missing Friday's game for a family event.
Viewing and Betting Information
Tip off time: 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time
Location: Barclays Center, Brooklyn, New York
Where to watch: NBA League Pass, Bally Sports Indiana/Bally Sports+, YES Network
Spread and Over/Under: The Pacers are big underdogs in this game as they are +10.5 in the SI Sportsbook. The over/under for the game is 234.5.
Pacers vs Nets Injury Report
For the Pacers, Daniel Theis is out with knee soreness. Kendall Brown and Trevelin Queen, who both are signed to two-way contracts, are out as they have been sent to the G League for training camp with the Fort Wayne Mad Ants. Turner (left ankle injury management) and Aaron Nesmith (sore right foot) are out.
For the Nets, Seth Curry is questionable with a left ankle injury. Warren (left foot) is out.
Key Matchups
Chris Duarte/Bennedict Mathurin vs Kevin Durant: Nobody can truly stop Kevin Durant. He's got the height of a center but can hit jump shots from anywhere. He's impossible to guard.
Instead, his man (likely Duarte or Mathurin, whoever starts in Nesmith's place) will need to do their best to slow him down. Whether that means making him uncomfortable or denying him the ball in his favorite spots, both youngsters will have to be on their A-game on the less glamorous end of the floor.
Duarte has played a few better offensive games recently, but that will be difficult with how much effort it will require to slow down Durant. The two-year pro will need to do his best to hit shots. Mathurin has yet to consistently defend anyone of Durant's caliber.
Tyrese Haliburton vs Ben Simmons: Simmons will probably guard Haliburton, but the inverse is likely not going to be the case. Simmons is huge for a guard and is one of the better defenders in the NBA. He will make Haliburton's life difficult.
The Pacers point guard is averaging north of 20 points and 10 assists per game, but that will be tough to do against Simmons. If Haliburton is slowed down, the Pacers offense will grind to a halt, so it's imperative that Carlisle finds a way to get him going.
- AllPacers chats one-on-one with Indiana Pacers win Aaron Nesmith. Exclusive interview here: CLICK HERE.
- Myles Turner is ready to add to the Indiana Pacers after returning from injury. CLICK HERE.
- Bennedict Mathurin is putting up historic numbers to start his career with the Indiana Pacers. CLICK HERE.
- The latest on a potential Pacers and Lakers trade involving Russell Westbrook. CLICK HERE.
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