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Game Preview: Pacers at Mavericks

Last Updated: Friday, Dec. 9, 2:09 PM

Matchup

The Pacers have a chance to get hot.

After taking care of the struggling Phoenix Suns on Wednesday night, Indiana flies to Dallas to finish off its five-game road swing with an opportunity to wrap up the trip 3-2.

"If you can leave the road 3-2, that’s a pretty good road trip and now we can say that and we gave ourselves an opportunity to do that in Dallas," said Pacers head coach Nate McMillan after Wednesday's game.

Like the Suns, the Mavericks have had serious troubles of late. With much of the team, including star forward Dirk Nowitzki, sidelined with injury, the Mavs have dropped 12 of their last 14 games.

For an Indiana (11-11) team that is desperate to break above .500, the 4-17 Mavericks should be an opportunity to do just that.

However, despite the eventual 15-point victory over the Suns on Wednesday, the Pacers were plagued by mistakes that could cost them if they aren't cleaned up before their next game.

On offense, Indiana turned it over 18 times, and hit on just 7-of-23 3-point shots. Luckily for the Pacers, Phoenix's out-of-sync offense only turned the 18 turnovers into six points, as the Pacers were able to overcome their errors and secure the win.

While their victory was by no means flawless, there were areas that the Pacers excelled. They forced turnovers like they have all season, causing Phoenix to cough up possession 21 times. And they got to the foul line at an amazing rate, taking 41 trips to the charity stripe.

As the game against the Suns teetered back and fourth, Myles Turner's 3-point shooting became a revelation. The second-year player went 3-of-4 from beyond the arc, surpassing his career high of one 3-pointer in a game (which has happened nine times). The shot was crucial because it caused center Tyson Chandler to stretch out from the paint, opening up the interior for cutting and driving Pacers players.

"Once you hit a couple, they have to start respecting it and that opens up the paint and the lane for guys like Jeff (Teague) and PG to get in there," Turner explained. "One time, I got a back cut and Jeff started getting wide-open layups, so it’s hard to guard."

With his marksmanship display on Wednesday, in easy to imagine just how much dynamism Turner's 3-point shooting will add to the starting lineup if it becomes a regular trend.

Friday night's game against the Mavericks should offer a good indication on whether or not the coaching staff is comfortable with Turner extending his range, as the Pacers look to cap off their longest road trip of the season with a win.

Projected Starters

Jeff Teague

Jeff Teague

Monta Ellis

Monta Ellis

Paul George

Paul George

Thaddeus Young

Thaddeus Young

Myles Turner

Myles Turner

Deron Williams

Deron Williams

Wesley Matthews

Wesley Matthews

Harrison Barnes

Harrison Barnes

Dorian Finney-Smith

Dorian Finney-Smith

Salah Merjri

Salah Mejri

Pacers: PG - Jeff Teague, SG - Monta Ellis, SF - Paul George, PF - Thaddeus Young, C - Myles Turner
Mavericks: PG - Deron Williams, SG - Wesley Matthews, SF - Harrison Barnes, SF - Dorian Finney-Smith, C - Salah Mejri

Injury Report

Pacers: None

Mavericks: J.J. Barea - out (left calf strain), Andrew Bogut - out (right knee injury), Seth Curry - out (right knee sprain), Dirk Nowitzki - out (right Achilles strain)

Last Meeting

October 26, 2016: In their opening game of the 2016-17 season, the Pacers overcame an overtime meeting with the Dallas Mavericks, winning 130-121 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.

Turner chipped in a double-double with 30 points and 16 rebounds, including a clutch 3-pointer in the overtime.

"What a way to kick off the season," Turner said. "The adrenaline was pumping right from the opening tip."

Indiana appeared to have the game won late in regulation, but the Mavericks capitalized on a missed free throw by Jeff Teague in the closing seconds and tied the game at 115 on Harrison Barnes' 3-pointer with 2.3 seconds left in the fourth quarter.

The game got too close to comfort for Indiana, but thanks to OT performances from Paul George and Turner, Indiana managed to secure a season-opening victory.

Noteworthy

  • Monta Ellis played and started in 162 regular season games for the Dallas Mavericks before joining the Pacers.
  • Mavericks head coach Rick Carlisle coached the Pacers for three seasons from 2003-07.
  • Mavericks forward Harrison Barnes and Pacers forward Paul George won gold together playing for Team USA at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.
  • Pacers players C.J. Miles and Myles Turner are both from the Dallas area.

Tickets

The Pacers return home on Saturday, Dec. 10, when they will host the Portland Trail Blazers at 7:00 PM ET. Saturday's game is also the second "Decade Game" of the season, and we'll be honoring Pacers players and staffers from the 1970s during the game. All fans in attendance will receive a bobblehead of either Hall of Famer Mel Daniels or Pacers legend George McGinnis. Find Tickets »

Broadcast Information TV & Radio Listings »

TV: FOX Sports Indiana/NBA TV - Chris Denari (play-by-play), Quinn Buckner (analyst), Jeremiah Johnson (sideline reporter/host)
Radio: 93.5 FM/AM 1070 The Fan - Mark Boyle (play-by-play), Pat Boylan (studio host)

Away Game Night Special

Select Shorts - 50% off. Game Night Specials can be purchased online the day of each away game from 10:00 AM - Midnight. Order Online »