NBA: Indiana Pacers vs. Dallas Mavericks Preview, Odds, Prediction

The Indiana Pacers would like to defeat the Dallas Mavericks in Texas and post the second consecutive road win. Though, that won’t be easy because the Mavs have plans of their own, and they include a triumph in tonight’s event. Luka and the company are after a direct playoff spot in the West, and losing tonight isn’t acceptable. As for the Pacers, they have no pressure at all, and we have the impression that this squad has more interest in the upcoming trade deadline than in future games.

Also, this game will see Rick Carlise meeting his former team.

Preview

Indiana Pacers (18-32, +400) had a very tough and interesting game last night in OKC against the Thunder. It ended after OT, with the Pacers squeezing out a 113-110 win, their first after three events. Tonight’s event in Dallas will mark the ending of a very rough schedule Rick Carlisle’s guys had over the recent two weeks, during which they played seven of eight contests on the road.

A win in OKC was important for so many reasons. One of them was a reaction following a disastrous 156-128 defeat in Charlotte. Even though Thunder isn’t some high-quality unit, bouncing back following such a humiliating defeat is very good for the team’s morale. Despite them being in the lower part of the standings.

Domantas Sabonis posted another triple-double, with 24 points, 18 boards, and 10 assists. It is a pity that the Pacers don’t have better results because his excellent performances go unnoticed. Jrue Holiday had 22 points, and Jeremy Lamb 14, off the bench. Indiana outrebounded the rivals, 60-43.

Dallas Mavericks (28-21, -500) posted subsequent wins and losses in the past five games. The Phoenix Suns and the Golden State Warriors were better than Jason Kidd’s unit, while they defeated the Raptors, the Grizzlies, and at last the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center, 132-112.

The Mavs set the tone right from the start, pouring 40 buckets in the opening 12 minutes and concluding that part of the game with a 15-point lead. The hosts did respond afterward, but the Mavs didn’t allow for any surprising turn of events.

Luka ended the night with a triple-double, 15 points, and assists with 10 rebounds. Kristaps Porzingis was the best scorer in Dallas’ team, with 22 points, while Jalen Brunson had 20, but added 11 assists. Reggi Bullock and Dwight Powell had 15 points each off the bench, bringing quite the spark once on the floor.

Head to Head Games

Indiana won the first meeting on December 10, 106-93. Caris LeVert scored 26 points, Sabonis had two fewer. Myles Turner had 17. Luka was near a triple-double in Dallas with 27 buckets and nine boards and assists, while Porizngis added 22.

Prediction

The Pacers are tired, and fatigue hits them hard following such a hard schedule. On top of everything, they have several important players out, such as Turner, Warren, and Brogdon, so the Mavs’ victory here isn’t questionable. They are going to win, but we wouldn’t be so sure about covering a nine-point spread, and our advice to you is to bet only on the plain triumph, even though the odds might be a bit lower. One prop pick for all is Sabonis to add another triple-double, as he is in excellent form lately. We expect 20+ points from him without any problem tonight.

Pick: Dallas wins

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